Canadiens first-round pick Cole Caufield returning to school next season

Montreal Canadiens prospect Cole Caufield is staying in school for at least another season.

The Canadiens confirmed on Tuesday night that the 19-year-old American forward will return to the NCAA’s Wisconsin Badgers for the 2020-21 season.

Caufield, who was selected 15th overall by Montreal in 2019, produced 19 goals and 36 points in 36 games in his freshman season with Wisconsin.

The winger from Stevens Point, Wis., dressed for the United States at the 2020 world junior championships in the Czech Republic, scoring a goal and an assist in five games

Prior to joining the Badgers, he scored a record 126 goals in two seasons with his country’s national team development program and tied Alex Ovechkin’s mark of 14 at the under-18 worlds

“This additional year in the NCAA will benefit Cole and will allow him to continue developing his skills within the Badgers’ environment. Cole is an important part of the Montreal Canadiens’ future and we will continue to follow his development with interest,” Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said in a statement.