WINNIPEG — The schedule lined up for Judd Caulfield.
The Anaheim Ducks’ game closest to his hometown, Grand Forks, fell on a Friday night in Winnipeg, allowing 10 family members to make the trip.
They showed up and Caulfield made it a memorable evening.
The former Grand Forks Central and UND forward scored his first NHL goal for Anaheim against the Winnipeg Jets in Canada Life Centre on Friday night.
Caulfield also added an assist and was named the game’s No. 1 star. Anaheim won 5-1.
“It was super special with the family here,” Caulfield told NHL.com. “I don’t think my grandma’s been to a game in a while. It was nice to have my parents and my wife’s family here as well, and my siblings. It was great to have that support. They have supported me for so many years.”
Caulfield’s goal was the first of the game.
Caulfield made a neutral pass to linemate Jeff Malott, who had speed entering the zone. Malott took it to the net, but Jets goalie Clay Stevenson stopped his attempt.
Caulfield followed it up and scored.
“It feels great to get that first one,” Caulfield told NHL.com. “It was a great play by (Tim) Washe to get that puck out of the zone and (Malott) had great speed taking the puck to the net and left it easy for me to score right in front of the net. So, it felt great.”
There’s nothing quite like having your family in the building for your first career goal! 🥹
Welcome to the goal club, Judd Caulfield!
Rookie Firsts presented by @DrinkBODYARMOR https://t.co/43dGUYrZ6h
— NHL (@NHL) October 10, 2026
The goal came in Caulfield’s fourth NHL game.
He made his NHL debut on Oct. 2 in Las Vegas.
Caulfield played 9:34 against Winnipeg, tallied two points and registered a plus-2.
Anaheim coach Joel Quenneville called it a “special night” for Caulfield’s line with Washe, a former Western Michigan forward, and Malott.
Caulfield’s goal was the first in the NHL by a Grand Forks player since Luke Johnson on April 7, 2021. Johnson scored for the Minnesota Wild against the Colorado Avalanche.
Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald’s circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year twice. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at bschlossman@gfherald.com.