Cayden Lindstrom
{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 2006)}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox ice hockey biography
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2006|2|3}}
| birth_place = Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada {{cite web |title=Cayden Lindstrom Stats and News |url=https://www.nhl.com/player/cayden-lindstrom-8484780 |website=NHL.com |access-date=29 June 2024}}
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lb = 216
| position = Forward
| shoots = Left
| league = WHL
| team = Medicine Hat Tigers
| draft = 4th overall
| draft_year = 2024
| draft_team = Columbus Blue Jackets
}}
Cayden Lindstrom (born February 3, 2006) is a Canadian ice hockey forward for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He was drafted fourth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2024 NHL entry draft.
Playing career
Lindstrom was playing midget A hockey in Fort Saint John, British Columbia when he was first scouted by his agent, who helped him join the Delta Hockey Academy. Joining the team required him to move {{Convert|1200|km}} south to Delta. While playing there, he was selected 54th overall in the 2021 Western Hockey League (WHL) draft by the Medicine Hat Tigers.{{cite web |last1=Booth |first1=Mark |title=Delta Hockey Academy players dominate proceedings at WHL Prospects Draft |url=https://www.delta-optimist.com/local-sports/delta-hockey-academy-players-dominate-proceedings-at-whl-prospects-draft-4849926 |website=delta-optimist.com |publisher=Delta Optimist |access-date=January 29, 2024 |date=December 10, 2021}} He signed with the Tigers and made his WHL debut on December 30, 2021, in a 3–2 victory over the Calgary Hitmen.{{cite web |last1=Tubb |first1=James |title=Lindstrom shows confidence in WHL debut |url=https://medicinehatnews.com/sports/local-sports/2022/01/04/lindstrom-shows-confidence-in-whl-debut/ |website=medicinehatnews.com |publisher=Medicine Hat News |access-date=January 29, 2024 |date=January 4, 2022}}
In his first full WHL season in 2022–23, Lindstrom was shifted between wing and centre, and at points had been a healthy scratch. At the season's end, he had recorded 19 goals and 42 points across 61 games, respectable for a 16-year-old.{{cite web |last1=Peters |first1=Will |title=Chetwynd's Cayden Lindstrom scores crucial goal for Canada in Hlinka Gretzky Cup final victory |url=https://www.myprincegeorgenow.com/182076/featured/chetwynds-cayden-lindstrom-scores-crucial-goal-for-canada-in-hlinka-gretzky-cup-final-victory/ |website=myprincegeorgenow.com |publisher=My PG Now |access-date=January 29, 2024 |date=August 5, 2023}} He was named rookie of the year for the WHL Central Division, and was a finalist for the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy for WHL rookie of the year.{{cite web |last1=Tubb |first1=James |title=Lindstrom nominated for WHL rookie of the year |url=https://medicinehatnews.com/sports/local-sports/2023/04/08/lindstrom-nominated-for-whl-rookie-of-the-year/ |website=medicinehatnews.com |publisher=Medicine Hat News |access-date=January 29, 2024 |date=April 8, 2023}}
Beginning the 2023–24 season on a torrid pace, Lindstrom recorded nine points in three preseason games followed by ten goals and fifteen points in the first twelve games of the regular season. His stellar play through the early stages of the season led to his receiving an 'A' rating from NHL Central Scouting in their October list. Although this was somewhat of a surprise at the time, he continued to produce points at an elite rate, and his draft stock continued to rise. Entering the Christmas break and riding a 12-game point-scoring streak that saw him score 13 goals and 21 points, he sustained injuries to his back and hand, derailing what was on pace to be a 55-goal, 100-point season.{{cite web |last1=Wheeler |first1=Scott |title=Inside 2024 NHL Draft star Cayden Lindstrom’s emergence — and the status of his health |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5394559/2024/05/21/cayden-lindstrom-2024-nhl-draft/ |website=The Athletic |publisher=New York Times |access-date=June 2, 2024 |date=May 21, 2024}} Although he was one of 40 draft-eligible prospects chosen to compete at the 2024 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, he was not able to participate due to recovery from his injuries, which included hand surgery.{{cite web |last1=Tubb |first1=James |title=Tigers avoiding losing streaks with tight division race |url=https://medicinehatnews.com/sports/local-sports/2024/01/24/tigers-avoiding-losing-streaks-with-tight-division-race/ |website=medicinehatnews.com |publisher=Medicine Hat News |access-date=January 29, 2024 |date=January 24, 2024}} He finished the year with 27 goals and 46 points in 32 games, the highest points per game rate by a Medicine Hat player since Joffrey Lupul 22 years earlier, and would go on to win the CHL Top Draft Prospect Award as the best draft-eligible player in the three CHL component leagues.{{cite web |last1=Séguin |first1=Christopher |title=Jagger Firkus named Player of the Year as the best & brightest from the CHL are recognized at the 2024 CHL Awards |url=https://chl.ca/article/jagger-firkus-named-player-of-the-year-as-the-best-brightest-from-the-chl-are-recognized-at-the-2024-chl-awards/ |website=Canadian Hockey League |date=June 1, 2024 |access-date= June 1, 2024}}{{Cite news |last=Bernreuter |first=Hugh |date=2024-06-18 |title=Parekh represents Saginaw defensive group in claiming CHL honor |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bay-city-times-parekh-represents-sag/172397779/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |work=The Bay City Times |pages=U3}}
Lindstrom returned from injury in the first round of the playoffs against the Red Deer Rebels, but was not fully recovered and did not perform nearly to his previous standard. In four playoff games before the Rebels eliminated the Tigers, he scored just two points and logged fourteen penalty minutes.{{cite web |last1=Basu |first1=Arpon |title=Cayden Lindstrom’s dream of playing under the bright lights of the NHL is approaching |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5548868/2024/06/07/cayden-lindstrom-montreal-canadiens-draft/ |work=The Athletic |access-date=June 26, 2024 |date=June 7, 2024}} Entering the 2024 NHL entry draft, Lindstrom was lauded for his size, athleticism, skating, and puckhandling, but was regarded as unpolished, particularly in his decision-making.{{cite web |last1=Neumeier |first1=Derek |title=2024 NHL DRAFT: EARLY SEASON FAVOURITES – WHL – Cayden Lindstrom, Tanner Howe, Lukas Matecha, Nate Misskey |url=https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/2024-nhl-draft-early-season-favourites-whl-cayden-lindstrom-tanner-howe-lukas-matecha-nate-misskey/ |website=mckeenshockey.com |publisher=McKeen's Hockey |access-date=January 29, 2024 |date=November 26, 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Bukala |first1=Jason |title=Future Considerations: Scouting reports on top NHL Draft prospects |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/future-considerations-scouting-reports-on-top-nhl-draft-prospects/ |website=sportsnet.ca |publisher=Sportsnet |access-date=January 29, 2024 |date=November 16, 2023}} His final ranking from Central Scouting was third among North American skaters, and he would see his name called fourth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets.{{cite news |last1=Hedger |first1=Brian |title=Columbus Blue Jackets playing it safe with top prospect Cayden Lindstrom |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/2024/08/27/columbus-blue-jackets-take-it-slow-with-cayden-lindstroms-back/74966308007/ |access-date=September 18, 2024 |work=The Columbus Dispatch |date=August 27, 2024}}
Lindstrom spent the summer and autumn of 2024 attempting to rehabilitate his back, but eventually opted for a surgical microdiscectomy, which was performed that November. Post-surgery, he was required to avoid training for a month, before returning to the ice. As a result, he ultimately missed the entire 2024–25 regular season with the Tigers, as well as most of the postseason. However, he was able to rejoin the team for the first game of the WHL Finals against the Spokane Chiefs, recording an assist in the game.{{cite web|title=Lindstrom leaned on CBJ teammates in his journey back |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/cayden-lindstrom-return-blue-jackets-medicine-hat|last=Svoboda|first=Jeff|publisher=Columbus Blue Jackets|access-date=May 17, 2025|via=NHL.com|date=May 11, 2025}} He scored a goal in the second game on May 12, his first in 411 days.{{cite news |last1=Lazary |first1=Spencer |title=Blue Jackets' Cayden Lindstrom Scores First WHL Goal In 411 Days|url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/blue-jackets-cayden-lindstrom-scores-first-whl-goal-in-411-days |work=The Hockey News |date=May 12, 2025 |access-date=May 17, 2025}} After taking a hard hit in Game 3, he missed Game 4, but was able to return to the roster thereafter.{{cite news |title=Report: McKenna, Lindstrom return to Medicine Hat in Game 5 of WHL Final|url=https://www.tsn.ca/chl/report-gavin-mckenna-cayden-lindstrom-return-to-medicine-hat-tigers-in-game-5-of-whl-final-1.2307481 |work=TSN |date=May 16, 2025 |access-date=May 18, 2025}} The Tigers defeated the Chiefs in five games, claiming the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions.{{cite web |title=Gavin McKenna leads Tigers to WHL title with Game 5 win over Chiefs |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/whl/article/gavin-mckenna-leads-tigers-to-whl-title-with-game-5-win-over-chiefs/ |website=Sportsnet |date=May 17, 2025 |access-date= May 17, 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Kepke |first1=Cami |title=GAME STORY: Medicine Hat Tigers clinch 2025 WHL Championship presented by Nutrien |url=https://chl.ca/whl/article/medicine-hat-tigers-clinch-2025-whl-championship-presented-by-nutrien/ |publisher=Canadian Hockey League |date=May 17, 2025 |access-date= May 17, 2025}} Lindstrom and the Tigers then participated in the 2025 Memorial Cup, where they were defeated in the tournament final by the OHL champion London Knights.{{Cite web |title=London Knights edge Medicine Hat Tigers to secure a historic third Memorial Cup title |url=https://chl.ca/article/london-knights-edge-medicine-hat-tigers-to-secure-a-historic-third-memorial-cup-title/ |last=Séguin |first=Christopher |date=June 2, 2025 |access-date=June 3, 2025 |publisher=Canadian Hockey League }}
International play
{{MedalTableTop|name=no}}
{{MedalCountry|{{ih18|CAN}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's ice hockey}}
{{MedalCompetition|Hlinka Gretzky Cup}}
{{MedalGold|2023 Czechia/Slovakia|}}
{{MedalBottom}}
At the 2022 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, Lindstrom played for Team Canada White, recording two goals and four points in six games.
Lindstrom represented Canada at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, recording two goals and five points in five games and winning a gold medal.{{cite web |last1=Tubb |first1=James |title=Lindstrom relishes golden opportunity at Hlinka Gretzky |url=https://medicinehatnews.com/sports/local-sports/2023/08/23/lindstrom-relishes-golden-opportunity-at-hlinka-gretzky/ |website=medicinehatnews.com |publisher=Medicine Hat News |access-date=January 29, 2024 |date=August 23, 2023}}
Personal life
Lindstrom and his three younger sisters were raised by a single mother, Trisha, a medical assistant. Throughout his childhood, he was very close with his mother and grandparents. He grew up a multi-athlete, playing track and field, baseball, and soccer, but when he was thirteen high-level play in both baseball and hockey forced him to choose between the two.
Lindstrom is a member of the Driftpile First Nation.{{cite web |last1=Svoboda |first1=Jeff |title=Instant analysis: Blue Jackets draft Cayden Lindstrom at No. 4 overall |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/5-things-to-know-about-blue-jackets-draft-pick-cayden-lindstrom |publisher=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=September 18, 2024 |date=June 28, 2024}}
Career statistics
= Regular season and playoffs =
| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em;" | ||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! rowspan="94" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Regular season ! rowspan="94" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Playoffs | ||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Season ! Team ! League ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM | ||||||||
| 2021–22
| WHL | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="f0f0f0"
| 2022–23 | Medicine Hat Tigers | WHL | 61 | 19 | 23 | 42 | 36
| 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 2023–24
| Medicine Hat Tigers | WHL | 32 | 27 | 19 | 46 | 66
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 14 |
| bgcolor="f0f0f0"
| 2024–25 | Medicine Hat Tigers | WHL | — | — | — | — | —
| 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3"|WHL totals ! 99 | 46 | 42 | 88 | 102
! 12 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 26 |
=International=
| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em;" | ||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="101" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM | ||||
| 2022
| Canada White | U17 | 6th | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| bgcolor="f0f0f0"
| 2023 | Canada | HG18 | {{gold1}} | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="4"|Junior totals ! 11 !! 4 !! 3 !! 7 !! 20 |
Awards and honours
| class="wikitable"
! Award ! Year ! Ref |
| ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="4" |CHL |
| CHL Top Draft Prospect Award
| 2024 |
| ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="4" |WHL |
| Ed Chynoweth Cup champion
| 2025 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Ice hockey stats|elite=739213|hockeydb=251427}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box | before = Adam Fantilli | title = Columbus Blue Jackets first round draft pick | years = 2024 | after = Incumbent}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lindstrom, Cayden}}
Category:Black Canadian ice hockey players
Category:Black Canadian sportsmen
Category:Canadian ice hockey forwards
Category:Columbus Blue Jackets draft picks
Category:Ice hockey people from British Columbia
Category:Medicine Hat Tigers players
Category:NHL first-round draft picks
Category:Canadian people of Swedish descent