Sep. 29—GRAND FORKS — Judd Caulfield is one step closer to playing in the NHL.
The former Grand Forks Central and UND winger has made the Anaheim Ducks‘ opening-night roster.
The Ducks open the regular season Friday in Las Vegas.
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Caulfield parlayed a strong 2025-26 season with Anaheim’s top minor league club, the San Diego Gulls, into an NHL contract this summer.
He signed a two-year, $1.75 million deal with Anaheim.
The Ducks kept 16 forwards on their roster, including injured Troy Terry. Typically, 12 forwards play in a game.
Caulfield is one of 11 former UND players who made opening-night rosters.
The others are Jacob Bernard-Docker (Detroit Red Wings), Jackson Blake (Carolina Hurricanes), Brock Boeser (Vancouver Canucks), Tyler Kleven (Ottawa Senators), Brock Nelson (Colorado Avalanche), Shane Pinto (Ottawa), Jake Sanderson (Ottawa), Nick Schmaltz (Utah Mammoth), Cole Smith (Chicago Blackhawks) and Troy Stecher (Toronto Maple Leafs).
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UND has eight others on NHL contracts who could be called up during the season.
Those players are Dylan James (Detroit Red Wings), Jake Livanavage (Pittsburgh Penguins), Matt Kiersted (Minnesota Wild), Tyson Jost (Nashville Predators), Abram Wiebe (Calgary Flames), Christian Wolanin (Colorado Avalanche), Caleb MacDonald (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Sacha Boisvert (Chicago Blackhawks).
Caulfield is looking to become the 115th former UND player to play in an NHL game.
He played at UND from 2019-23. He initially signed an NHL deal with Anaheim, but was on an American Hockey League contract last season.
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Caulfield blossomed last year, tallying career highs in goals (17), assists (21) and points (38).
“I’m definitely feeling a lot more comfortable in the league, being my third full season,” Caulfield told the Herald last year. “It’s a bit of an adjustment at first — a different pace and playing older players again. There are shutdown ‘D’ that have been in the league for six-to-eight years. Playing against those types of players, it’s definitely tough. I’m re-finding my game, using my physicality. I’ve been more physical this year. I’ve been able to protect pucks and hold onto pucks more this year, not getting knocked off as easily.”
The most recent Grand Forks players to suit up in the NHL are Paul LaDue and Jon Lizotte, both of whom played during the 2021-22 season. Luke Johnson played in 2020-21.
Tucker Poolman, of East Grand Forks, last played in 2022-23.
