MADISON, Wis. — A stellar group of student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent during the NCAA's early signing period and are scheduled to arrive at the University of Wisconsin starting with the fall of 2019.
Among the signees are forwards Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wisconsin), Dylan Holloway (Bragg Creek, Alberta), Owen Lindmark (Naperville, Illinois), Alex Turcotte (Island Lake, Illinois) and defenseman Michael Vorlicky (Edina, Minnesota).
"We are excited about these players coming into our program," head coach
Tony Granato said. "They include premiere goal-scoring offensive players. This may be the most talented class we've had since the mid 2000s.
"We expect them to make as big an impact as our sophomore and freshmen classes did when they came in."
COLE CAUFIELD
Forward, 5-7, 155, R
Stevens Point, Wis.
U.S. Under-18 Team (USHL)
Caufield, the younger brother of current Badger freshman
Brock Caufield, leads the U.S. Under-18 Team with 16 goals in 20 games played. His 22 points and average of 1.20 points per game currently rank third on the team. Recently, Caufield helped the Under-18 squad to a first-place finish at the 2018 Five Nations Tournament in Kravare, Czech Republic, scoring seven goals in the tournament, including one in the finale against Finland.
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During the 2017-18 campaign, Caufield split the season between the Under-17 and Under-18 squads, tallying 54 goals and 80 points in 59 games, Caufield's 54 tallies rank second on the NTDP all-time list for goals scored in a single season. His 54 goals surpassed the single-season marks of Penguins forward Phil Kessel (52) and Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane (52), and rank only behind current Maple Leafs forward and former NTDP center Auston Matthews, who scored 55 goals during the 2014-15 campaign.
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Caufield boasts 70 career goals for the USNTDP, which ranks eighth all-time with the current season in its early stages.
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Draft eligible in 2019, Caufield was rated an 'A' prospect on NHL Central Scouting's players to watch list for the 2019 draft, which indicates a first round candidate.
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Granato on Caufield
"Cole is a dynamic offensive player. A great finisher and goal scorer who we are looking forward to having in our program."
DYLAN HOLLOWAY
Forward, 6-1, 192, L
Bragg Creek, Alberta
Okotoks Oilers (AJHL)
Dylan Holloway leads the Alberta Junior Hockey League Scoring Race with 16 goals, 24 assists and 40 points in 25 games. He is averaging 1.6 points per game and has already surpassed his point total from the 2017-18 season (27 points in 28 games). Dylan leads the AJHL in both points (40) and assists (24), and is tied for second with his 16 goals. Holloway was named the 2018 AJHL Player of the Month for October after posting nine goals and 19 points in 10 games during the month.
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Before joining the Oilers, Holloway spent a portion of the 2016-17 season with the Calgary Flames Midget AAA program where he recorded 13 goals and 20 points in 31 appearances.
On the international stage, Holloway competed with Team Canada in the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and with Canada Red at the 2018-19 National Men's Under-18 Team Selection camp. Holloway also donned the red Maple Leaf at the 2017 World Junior Challenge and the 2017 World U17 Hockey Challenge.Â
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Granato on Holloway
"Dylan is a speedster. A really fast skater who is strong on the puck with great offensive skill. His draft year isn't until the following season so he's a young player, but just has great energy and will jump into college hockey and be a really dynamic player his freshman year."
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OWEN LINDMARK
Forward, 6-0, 184, R
Naperville, Ill.
U.S. Under-18 (USHL)
Owen Lindmark is in his second season with the National Team Development Program, boasting three goals and eight points in 13 appearances for the Under-18 squad. Last season, the forward appeared in 61 games, scoring 18 goals and 37 points for the Under-17 team.
Late this past summer, Lindmark, along with fellow signees Caufield and Turcotte, skated in the 2018 USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The invitees included the top American prospects eligible for the 2019 NHL Draft.
Prior to joining the NTDP in Plymouth, Michigan, the forward spent three seasons with the Chicago Mission. Lindmark tallied 10 goals and 20 points in 20 contests with the 16U team during the 2016-17 season.
He was rated a 'C' prospect in NHL Central Scouting's players to watch list for the 2019 draft, which indicates a fourth/sixth round candidate.
Granato on Lindmark
"Owen is a solid two-way center. He's going to play power play and penalty kill. He's a reliable player and a great skating player who be on the ice a lot for us."
ALEX TURCOTTE
Forward, 5-11, 189, L
Island Lake, Ill.
U.S. Under-18 (USHL)
Another 'A' rated prospect in NHL Central Scouting's play's to watch list for the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Alex Turcotte has been sidelined for all but three of the Under-18 team's first 18 contests this season due to injury.
During the 2017-18 season, the Island Lake, Illinois, native tallied 18 goals and 63 points in 58 contests between the Under-17 and Under-18 squads. His 15 goals and 57 points while on the Under-17 roster ranked fifth on the team.
Turcotte appeared in seven games at the IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championships in April, tallying two goals and five points in the tournament. He also represented the team in Jarvenpaa, Finland at the Five Nations Tournament, scoring one goal and eight points and helping Team USA to a gold medal. The forward also appeared at the World Under-17 Challenge in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, and the Four Nations Tournament in Veliky Novgorod, Russia, winning gold in both tournaments.
Granato on Turcotte
"Alex is an offensive center who sees the ice well. He's a great playmaker who has a tremendous work ethic. The NHL scouts have him in the top 10 for next year's draft, so obviously he's an elite player. I love his character. He's 24 hours a day talking, thinking, dreaming about his next step in hockey. He'll be a big addition to our program."
MICHAEL VORLICKY
Defenseman, 6-1, 165, R
Edina, Minn.
Edina High School
The lone defenseman in the class, Mike Vorlicky currently suits up for his high school program in his hometown of Edina, Minnesota. Last season, Vorlicky tallied two goals and 16 points for the Hornets en route to a semi-final appearance at the 2018 Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament.
He spent this summer and fall with Team Southwest in the Upper Midwest Elite League, posting six goals and 13 points in 19 contests to help the team to first place. He added a pair of assists in three games during playoff action.
Granato on Vorlicky
"Michael is a solid defenseman from Minnesota. He's a guy who will be very physical, who is smart, can really skate and moves the puck really well. He'll be a solid two-way defenseman for us."
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| NAME |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
S/C |
Hometown |
Current Team |
| Cole Caufield |
F |
5-7 |
155 |
R |
Stevens Point, Wis. |
U.S. Under-18 Team (USHL) |
| Dylan Holloway |
F |
6-1 |
192 |
L |
Bragg Creek, Alb. |
Okotoks (AJHL) |
| Owen Lindmark |
F |
6-0 |
184 |
R |
Naperville, Ill. |
U.S. Under-18 Team (USHL) |
| Alex Turcotte |
F |
5-11 |
189 |
L |
Island Lake, Ill. |
U.S. Under-18 Team (USHL) |
| Michael Vorlicky |
D |
6-1 |
165 |
R |
Edina, Minn. |
Edina High School |
