Judd Caulfield, a North Dakota kid, finally realized his NHL dream as he made the opening night roster

At age 25, North Dakota native Judd Caulfield realized his NHL dream by securing a spot on the Anaheim Ducks opening night roster for the 2026-27 season. Caulfield made his NHL debut against the Vegas Golden Knights on October 2. He scored his first career goal and added an assist a week later against the Winnipeg Jets, earning First Star honors in front of his visiting grandmother.

Originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019, Caulfield played four collegiate seasons at the University of North Dakota before his rights were traded to Anaheim in 2023. Through his first 12 NHL games, the winger tallied four goals and four assists while establishing a regular bottom-six role for the Ducks.