Latest news with #ColeCaufield
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Hurricanes Forward Fined For Dangerous Hit
Three Canadiens Make The Hockey News Top 100 NHL Players List Not so long ago, Carey Price was the first Montreal Canadiens player to be mentioned in any list of best NHL players. Now that he has been forced to stop playing, the Habs are led by someone else in The Hockey News' top 100 NHL players list. Only three Canadiens made the list: Nick Suzuki, sniper Cole Caufield, and rookie defenseman Lane Hutson. 1:13 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Hamilton Spectator
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
UFC president Dana White excited to be back in Montreal after decade-long absence
MONTREAL - Thousands of crazed fans lined up outside Montreal's Bell Centre for hours on Thursday, despite grey skies and cool temperatures, with the hopes of catching a glimpse of their sports heroes. However, they weren't there to see Montreal Canadiens stars like Cole Caufield or Nick Suzuki, but rather Belal Muhammad, Jose Aldo and other mixed-martial artists for the official UFC 315 press conference ahead of the main card scheduled for Saturday night. 'That was just a little bit of a quarter of the bowl and you heard the energy,' said UFC president and CEO Dana White in a one-on-one interview with The Canadian Press following the press conference. 'This place is going to be packed, sold out on Saturday. The Canadian fans are awesome. 'They always bring incredible energy. Saturday is going to be fun. It's great to be back in Montreal.' It has been just over a decade since Montreal last hosted a card held by the American promotion. That was UFC 186, headlined by a flyweight title bout between champion Demetrious Johnson and challenger Kyoji Horiguchi on Apr. 25, 2015. 'They deserve it,' said White. 'Some of the most fun times in my career were when we were breaking into Canada back in the day, getting (professional mixed martial arts) legalized in Ontario (in 2010). As we started to move around, whether to Montreal, the East Coast, West Coast, and everything else in between, Canada remains one my favourite places to go.' Nevertheless, 415 total UFC fight cards and 3,668 days will have passed between that spring night ten years ago and Saturday's UFC 315 fight card featuring title bouts between welterweight champion Muhammad and fifth-ranked Jack Della Maddalena and flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko against France's Manon Fiorot. It's a far cry from the six UFC events held at Bell Centre in a five-year span, between April 2008 and March 2013, four of those cards headlined by three-time welterweight champion and Canadian mixed martial arts legend Georges St-Pierre. 'As we were growing the sport and the company in the early days, there were so many of the guys, from the Chuck Liddells to the Georges St-Pierres that were so instrumental in taking this thing global,' said White. 'I don't know if there will ever be anybody who has an impact up here the way that St-Pierre did.' Saturday's card is also the first being held on Canadian soil since Donald Trump was re-elected American president last November. It comes amid growing political tensions between Canada and the United States, as Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state. 'I don't even think about that at all,' said White. 'That doesn't have an impact on what we do.' White points rather to other world events, such as the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, as far greater hurdles that the UFC has had to recently contend with. 'When you're a global business, there's always going to be things every four years, or even every two years, that affect your business,' said White. 'None of that stuff bothers me. We just do our thing.' The animosity existing between the two nations does risk, however, spilling into the octagon come Saturday. During his Wednesday news conference, American welterweight Charles Radtke referenced the ongoing booing of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at Canadian sporting events in recent months, saying 'when you all boo the national anthem, somebody's gonna have to pay for that.' He went on to trash-talk Canada, offering an expletive-laden message to any fan at Bell Centre to jeer him during his fight with Mike Malott of Burlington, Ont. MONTREAL'S AIEMANN ZAHABI LOOKS TO IMPRESS Malott will not be the only Canadian fighting on home soil Saturday. Montreal's Aiemann Zahabi is set to face off against former two-time featherweight champion Jose Aldo of Brazil in a bantamweight fight. 'I'm proud to be fighting Jose Aldo,' said Zahabi on Thursday. 'He's a legend of the sport. I'm even more proud to do it here at home in Montreal. 'I know that he said he was disappointed in his last performance, but it's a good thing my brother Firas and I prepared for the best Jose Aldo possible. I'm excited.' Zahabi will have extra support in his corner in the form of St-Pierre, who Zahabi has turned to for advice and guidance in preparation for his bout with the 38-year-old UFC Hall of Famer. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
UFC president Dana White excited to be back in Montreal after decade-long absence
MONTREAL – Thousands of crazed fans lined up outside Montreal's Bell Centre for hours on Thursday, despite grey skies and cool temperatures, with the hopes of catching a glimpse of their sports heroes. However, they weren't there to see Montreal Canadiens stars like Cole Caufield or Nick Suzuki, but rather Belal Muhammad, Jose Aldo and other mixed-martial artists for the official UFC 315 press conference ahead of the main card scheduled for Saturday night. 'That was just a little bit of a quarter of the bowl and you heard the energy,' said UFC president and CEO Dana White in a one-on-one interview with The Canadian Press following the press conference. 'This place is going to be packed, sold out on Saturday. The Canadian fans are awesome. 'They always bring incredible energy. Saturday is going to be fun. It's great to be back in Montreal.' It has been just over a decade since Montreal last hosted a card held by the American promotion. That was UFC 186, headlined by a flyweight title bout between champion Demetrious Johnson and challenger Kyoji Horiguchi on Apr. 25, 2015. 'They deserve it,' said White. 'Some of the most fun times in my career were when we were breaking into Canada back in the day, getting (professional mixed martial arts) legalized in Ontario (in 2010). As we started to move around, whether to Montreal, the East Coast, West Coast, and everything else in between, Canada remains one my favourite places to go.' Nevertheless, 415 total UFC fight cards and 3,668 days will have passed between that spring night ten years ago and Saturday's UFC 315 fight card featuring title bouts between welterweight champion Muhammad and fifth-ranked Jack Della Maddalena and flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko against France's Manon Fiorot. It's a far cry from the six UFC events held at Bell Centre in a five-year span, between April 2008 and March 2013, four of those cards headlined by three-time welterweight champion and Canadian mixed martial arts legend Georges St-Pierre. 'As we were growing the sport and the company in the early days, there were so many of the guys, from the Chuck Liddells to the Georges St-Pierres that were so instrumental in taking this thing global,' said White. 'I don't know if there will ever be anybody who has an impact up here the way that St-Pierre did.' Saturday's card is also the first being held on Canadian soil since Donald Trump was re-elected American president last November. It comes amid growing political tensions between Canada and the United States, as Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state. 'I don't even think about that at all,' said White. 'That doesn't have an impact on what we do.' White points rather to other world events, such as the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, as far greater hurdles that the UFC has had to recently contend with. 'When you're a global business, there's always going to be things every four years, or even every two years, that affect your business,' said White. 'None of that stuff bothers me. We just do our thing.' The animosity existing between the two nations does risk, however, spilling into the octagon come Saturday. During his Wednesday news conference, American welterweight Charles Radtke referenced the ongoing booing of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at Canadian sporting events in recent months, saying 'when you all boo the national anthem, somebody's gonna have to pay for that.' He went on to trash-talk Canada, offering an expletive-laden message to any fan at Bell Centre to jeer him during his fight with Mike Malott of Burlington, Ont. MONTREAL'S AIEMANN ZAHABI LOOKS TO IMPRESS Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Malott will not be the only Canadian fighting on home soil Saturday. Montreal's Aiemann Zahabi is set to face off against former two-time featherweight champion Jose Aldo of Brazil in a bantamweight fight. 'I'm proud to be fighting Jose Aldo,' said Zahabi on Thursday. 'He's a legend of the sport. I'm even more proud to do it here at home in Montreal. 'I know that he said he was disappointed in his last performance, but it's a good thing my brother Firas and I prepared for the best Jose Aldo possible. I'm excited.' Zahabi will have extra support in his corner in the form of St-Pierre, who Zahabi has turned to for advice and guidance in preparation for his bout with the 38-year-old UFC Hall of Famer. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2025.
Calgary Herald
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Cowan: Cole Caufield predicts bright future for tight-knit Canadiens
Article content The big question when Cole Caufield signed an eight-year, US$62.8-million contract with the Canadiens two summers ago was could he stay healthy? Article content The 5-foot-8, 175-pound winger signed the contract four months after surgery on his right shoulder put an end to his 2022-23 season with 26-10-36 totals in 46 games. Caufield could have become a restricted free agent on July 1, 2023. Article content 'They know the type of player I am,' Caufield said. 'We've had talks, for sure, about where my game is at. For them, me, and my agent, it's all about my health long-term, and down the road it'll all work out.' Article content Caufield's contract has an annual salary-cap hit of US$7.85 million — slightly less than the US$7.875 million for captain and linemate Nick Suzuki. The third member of the No. 1 line, Juraj Slafkovsky, has a new contract that kicks in next season with a cap hit of US$7.6 million. Article content Suzuki is signed through 2029-30, Caufield through 2030-31 and Slafkovsky through 2032-33. Those three contracts could end up being fantastic bargains, with the NHL salary cap — currently at US$88 million — jumping to US$95.5 million next season, US$104 million for 2026-27 and US$113.5 million for 2027-28. Article content Show me a sweeter goal scorer's goal this season than @colecaufield 's OT winner for the @CanadiensMTL last night. I won't wait because you can't. — Ted Bird (@manofbird) February 28, 2025 Article content Caufield has not missed a game since signing his contract — playing in all 82 games in each of the last two seasons — and the 24-year-old posted career highs this season in goals and points with 37-33-70 totals to go along with a plus-9 differential. He tied for 13th in the NHL in goals and added three more in five playoff games against the Washington Capitals. Article content 'It's something you want to do every year,' Caufield said about playing all 82 games. 'You just want to be in the lineup every night to try and win those games. I think it says a lot about taking care of your body in the summer and all that stuff. I think it's pretty cool doing it back-to-back years.'
Montreal Gazette
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Montreal Gazette
Cowan: Cole Caufield predicts bright future for tight-knit Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens By The big question when Cole Caufield signed an eight-year, US$62.8-million contract with the Canadiens two summers ago was could he stay healthy? The 5-foot-8, 175-pound winger signed the contract four months after surgery on his right shoulder put an end to his 2022-23 season with 26-10-36 totals in 46 games. Caufield could have become a restricted free agent on July 1, 2023. At the time of the surgery, Caufield wasn't concerned about the impact it might have on contract talks. 'They know the type of player I am,' Caufield said. 'We've had talks, for sure, about where my game is at. For them, me, and my agent, it's all about my health long-term, and down the road it'll all work out.' Caufield's contract has an annual salary-cap hit of US$7.85 million — slightly less than the US$7.875 million for captain and linemate Nick Suzuki. The third member of the No. 1 line, Juraj Slafkovsky, has a new contract that kicks in next season with a cap hit of US$7.6 million. Suzuki is signed through 2029-30, Caufield through 2030-31 and Slafkovsky through 2032-33. Those three contracts could end up being fantastic bargains, with the NHL salary cap — currently at US$88 million — jumping to US$95.5 million next season, US$104 million for 2026-27 and US$113.5 million for 2027-28. Show me a sweeter goal scorer's goal this season than @colecaufield 's OT winner for the @CanadiensMTL last night. I won't wait because you can't. — Ted Bird (@manofbird) February 28, 2025 Caufield has not missed a game since signing his contract — playing in all 82 games in each of the last two seasons — and the 24-year-old posted career highs this season in goals and points with 37-33-70 totals to go along with a plus-9 differential. He tied for 13th in the NHL in goals and added three more in five playoff games against the Washington Capitals. 'It's something you want to do every year,' Caufield said about playing all 82 games. 'You just want to be in the lineup every night to try and win those games. I think it says a lot about taking care of your body in the summer and all that stuff. I think it's pretty cool doing it back-to-back years.' Suzuki hasn't missed a game during his six seasons in the NHL. The 25-year-old ranks third among current NHL players in consecutive games played with 455, trailing Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Brent Burns (925) and St. Louis Blues defenceman Ryan Suter (535). Slafkovsky, 21, has missed only three games during the last two seasons after his rookie season lasted only 39 games because of a knee injury. Canadiens are 10-2-1 this season when Cole Caufield & Nick Suzuki score in the same game #GoHabsGo — Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 22, 2025 Washington head coach Spencer Carbery had high praise for the Canadiens' No. 1 line after the Capitals won the first-round playoff series in five games. 'That top line and what (rookie defenceman) Lane Hutson has become this year, that's big-time stuff in this league and what they're able to do five-on-five,' Carbery said. Carbery compared game-planning for the Canadiens' No. 1 line in the playoffs with what he used to do as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs when they were up against the Tampa Bay Lightning and their top line that included Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point and a mix of different players. Spencer Carbery louange le CH et ses jeunes joueurs pendant plus de 3 minutes! — RDS (@RDSca) May 1, 2025 'Those guys have gotten to that level five-on-five where you have to be ready for them. And you have to pre-scout against them and you got to match up against them or else they're going to make you pay,' Carbery said. 'And they're so young, so now you're just imagining — I don't want to even go to that place — with the next 10 years of having to deal with that.' When Caufield met with the media for the final time this season last Friday, he said he hadn't heard Carbery's comments. 'That means a lot,' Caufield said. 'A lot of work's gone into this. A lot of video. It's not easy to do that consistently and that's what we're striving to be great at. I think it's only going to get better. We just want to stay hungry and stay on it. 'I think I grew a lot as a player this year,' Caufield added. 'I think I can always take a bigger step but, for sure, every year you just want to improve and you want to make a bigger impact out there, and I think I did that consistently this year.' While Caufield agrees making the playoffs was an accomplishment during Year 3 of a rebuild, he said the team isn't satisfied with the way the season ended, adding, 'there's still a long way to go.' 'Regardless of what happens, there's only one team that ends the season on a good note,' he said. 'Did we expect to be in this situation as a group? Yeah. But nothing really came from it. We learned a lot, but there's a lot more to look forward to.' Caufield is very happy he signed that long-term contract to stay with the Canadiens. 'It's fun coming to the rink every day,' he said. 'Seeing the guys, hanging around. It's a group you want to be with all the time. A lot of these guys go out to dinner every night, hang out throughout the day. It's a group that you don't want to leave.'
