Caufield grew up a fan of Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane and at the time considered him to be the best United States-born player. Now in his fifth NHL season with Montreal, which selected him in the first round (No. 15) in the 2019 NHL Draft, he was asked who he considers the best American-born player in the game today.

Caufield changed his number following the tragedy from 22 to Gaudreau's signature number 13 in an act of honouring his hockey hero. The Canadiens played their first game in Montreal since and Caufield had gone through a lengthy scoring drought holding him to just 12 goals in his first 21 games of the season.

Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield scored his 13th goal of the season Wednesday night and the goal carries some extra special meaning. Caufield scored the goal in Columbus against the Blue Jackets,