Caggiula led the University of North Dakota to the NCAA championship in 2016 and was named the most outstanding player at the Frozen Four after scoring four goals with one assist in two games. Two of those goals came in the third period of North Dakota's 5-1 victory against Quinnipiac in the title game.
That was the exclamation point on a season when Caggiula had 25 goals (fifth most nationally) and 51 points (eighth) in 39 games. So it was no surprise that several NHL teams pursued Caggiula once he had finished his senior year and was able to field contract offers.
Caggiula led the University of North Dakota to the NCAA championship in 2016 and was named the most outstanding player at the Frozen Four after scoring four goals with one assist in two games. Two of those goals came in the third period of North Dakota's 5-1 victory against Quinnipiac in the title game.
That was the exclamation point on a season when Caggiula had 25 goals (fifth most nationally) and 51 points (eighth) in 39 games. So it was no surprise that several NHL teams pursued Caggiula once he had finished his senior year and was able to field contract offers.
The Edmonton Oilers signed the undrafted forward to a two-year, entry-level contract on May 7, 2016. It could not have hurt the Oilers' chances that Dillon Simpson, son of former Edmonton forward Craig Simpson and a teammate of Caggiula's at North Dakota, was in the Oilers organization and answered questions about the franchise for him.
A strong, feisty forward and swift skater who is aggressive on the forecheck, protects the puck and finishes effectively, Caggiula ended his collegiate career with a career-best 13-game point streak (10 goals, nine assists).
Caggiula made his NHL debut Nov. 19, 2016, and played 60 games for Edmonton as a rookie in 2016-17, finishing with 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) and a plus-3 rating. He agreed to a two-year contract with the Oilers on June 14, 2008.
Caggiula was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks on Dec. 30, 2018, and had 12 points (five goals, seven assists) and a plus-3 rating in 26 games in 2018-19 after the trade.
The native of Pickering, Ontario, played two impressive seasons for Stouffville of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He had 10 goals and 34 points in 25 games in 2011-12, when he helped Stouffville win the OJHL regular-season and playoff titles. He also was named MVP of the OJHL playoffs after scoring 17 goals and 37 points in 23 games.
NOTES & TRANSACTIONS
- NCHC Second All-Star Team (2015)
- NCHC First All-Star Team (2016)
- NCAA West Second All-American Team (2016)
- NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team (2016)
- NCAA Championship Tournament MVP (2016)
- Signed as a free agent by Edmonton, May 7, 2016.
- Traded to Chicago by Edmonton with Jason Garrison for Brandon Manning and Robin Norell, December 30, 2018.
- Signed as a free agent by Arizona, December 21, 2020.
- Claimed off waivers by Buffalo from Arizona, April 9, 2021.
