Judd Caulfield’s first NHL goal came with a Grand Forks cheering section packed into Canada Life Centre, and nobody enjoyed the finish more than his grandmother.
The Anaheim Ducks rookie scored at 14:41 of the first period Friday against the Winnipeg Jets, turning a short trip north into a family milestone. Ten relatives made the 145-mile drive from Grand Forks, North Dakota, to see Caulfield play, including family members who had supported his climb long before he reached the NHL.
A first goal in front of family
- Caulfield found the net late in the opening period for his first career NHL goal.
- The play began when Tim Washe worked the puck out of the defensive zone.
- Jeff Malott then drove toward the Winnipeg net with speed and set up Caulfield for a close-range finish.
- Caulfield’s grandmother was shown celebrating wildly in the stands after the goal.
“Getting the first one feels great,” Caulfield said after the game. “Washe made a great play getting the puck out, and Malott used his speed to get to the net. He left me an easy one right in front.”
Caulfield later posed with the goal puck, a keepsake from a night that carried more weight than a standard rookie breakthrough.
Grandma gets a rink-side memory
The broadcast noted that Caulfield’s grandmother had not watched him play in person since his college days. Friday’s Ducks visit was about as convenient as an NHL date could be for the North Dakota family, and the Friday-night slot allowed the group to make the trip together.
“It was really special having my family there,” Caulfield said. “This was as close as we’re going to get. Having a Friday game on the schedule made it work out nicely.
“I don’t think my grandma has been to a game in a while. Having my parents, my wife’s family and my siblings there was great. They’ve supported me for so many years.”
For Caulfield, the first NHL goal will go into the books as a finish from the edge of the crease. For his family, especially grandma, it was the kind of puck-drop memory that makes the drive home feel a lot shorter.
