The Flyers announced today that they have signed free agent forward Jackson Cates from the University of Minnesota-Duluth to a two-year entry-level contract with a $925K AAV.

Check Fletcher had this to say about Cates:

“He’s a tenacious two-way center that has steadily improved his overall game each season. He’s been an integral part of a very successful college program at UMD and we’re excited to see him take his game to the next level.”

More on Cates from the Flyers Press Release >>

Cates will turn professional after three seasons in college. He was a part of the 2019 National Championship team for the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. Cates’ younger brother, Noah Cates was selected in the fifth round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. I would also expect to see Noah Cates getting the call up soon as well (better than his brother IMHO).

He recorded 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points in 28 games this past year, helping UMD reach the Frozen Four. Cates scored the opening goal of a 3-2 win over North Dakota, which lasted five overtimes and became the longest game ever played in NCAA Hockey Tournament history to reach the Frozen Four. Over his three seasons at UMD, he produced 27 goals and 37 assists for 64 points in 96 collegiate games.

Cates’ contract will begin this season, and he will likely join the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the coming days. He was a member of the Flyers developmental camp back in 2019.

Mandatory Credit: Justin K. Aller/NCAA Photos via Getty Images