FORMER OJHL PLAYOFF MVP SIGNS WITH ARIZONA COYOTES
Former Stouffville Spirit star forward Drake Caggiula has signed a one-year, one-way contract with the NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The MVP of the 2012 Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs was a free agent.
"We are very pleased to add Drake to our roster," said Coyotes General Manager Bill Armstrong. "He is a hard-working, versatile forward and a strong skater. He will add depth to our forward group."
The 26-year-old Caggiula registered 9-6-15 with 32 penalty minutes (PIM) in 40 games with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2019-20.
The 5-foot-10, 176-pound native of Pickering, Ontario has totaled 41-35-76 and 113 PIM in 222 career NHL games with the Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers.
Caggiula joined the Spirit as a 16-year old rookie in 2010-11 and finished fifth on the club in scoring after recording 45 points in 48 games. Injured during the playoffs, he would only play eight games during the club's semi-final run.
Caggiula's efforts, that included 10 power play goals, the 12th best total in the entire league, earned him a spot as a North-West Conference 1st Team All-Prospect.
After a brief stint in the USHL to start the 2011-12 season, Caggiula returned to Stouffville and earned a spot on Team Canada East, helping the team capture a second consecutive silver medal at the 2011 World Junior 'A' Challenge held in Langley, B.C.
He was also a member of the OJHL North Division All-Star Team that finished as runner-up at the inaugural Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge that was held in Smiths Falls, Ontario. Caggiula finished the season with 10 goals and 34 points in 25 regular season games to be named 1st Team All-Prospect for the second consecutive year, as well as to the OHA All-Prospect Team.
It was in the playoffs, however, where Caggiula truly shined. Missing OJHL MVP Christian Finch, and playing injured himself, Caggiula led the Spirit to their first-ever OJHL title on the strength of 17 goals and 37 points in only 23 post-season contests.
Caggiula next played at the University of North Dakota where he led the team to the NCAA Championship in 2016 and was named the Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player. He registered 25-26-51 in 39 games during 2015-16 as a senior and finished his collegiate career with 62-65-127 in 162 career games.
Caggiula originally signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Oilers on May 7, 2016.
