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The Philadelphia Flyers announced today they have signed forward Noah Cates, the club's fifth-round pick (137th overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, to a two-year entry-level contract that will begin this season (2021-22), according to President of Hockey Operations & General Manager, Chuck Fletcher.

Cates will join the team in Minnesota for the final game of their road trip on Tues., Mar. 29.
"Noah has had an exceptional collegiate career and we're happy to have him signed," said Fletcher. "Noah is a versatile and responsible two-way player who has helped Minnesota-Duluth win a National Championship and represented the United States on both the World Junior and Olympic stage. We have followed his progress closely and are excited to watch his continued growth in our organization."

Below are news & notes on Cates:

NOAH CATES (KAYTS)
POSITION: Left Wing
PREVIOUS TEAM: University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCHC - NCAA)
DRAFTED: 2017 (5th Round, 137th Overall - FLYERS)
AGE: 23 (2-5-1999)
BORN: Stillwater, Minnesota
VITALS: 6'2", 190 pounds
SHOOTS: Left

* Cates turns professional after four full seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he helped the Bulldogs win the 2019 National Championship.

* He served as team captain in each of the last two seasons.

* This past season he posted 24 points (11g-13a) in 37 games for the Bulldogs and leads the team in game-winning goals (4).

* He was selected, and was named an alternate captain, to Team USA for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing where he appeared in all four games and recorded one goal and a +2 rating.

* In 2020-21, Cates recorded 19 points (5g-14a) in 28 games to help Minnesota-Duluth reach the Frozen Four.

* Over his four seasons at UMD, he recorded a total of 39 goals and 60 assists for 99 points in 139 games while helping the Bulldogs make two Frozen Four appearances (2019, 2021).

* He was the leading vote-getter being named to the NCHC All-Rookie Team for the 2018-19 season when he posted 23 points (9g-14a) in 40 games en route to the NCAA Title.

* His best season came in 2019-20 when he recorded 14 goals and 33 points in 34 games.

* Beyond the 2022 Olympic participation, Cates has represented the United States on several occasions. He helped the U.S. win a silver medal at the 2019 World Junior Championships, appearing in all seven games and recording three points (1g-2a) and was teammates with current Flyer, Joel Farabee.

* Cates' brother, Jackson Cates, also played at UMD and is currently under contract with the Flyers. He has appeared in 11 games (1g) with the Flyers this season.

* Cates is the eighth member, out of nine players, of the 2017 Flyers Draft Class to sign a contract with the team.