<p>With Connor McDavid injured, the Edmonton Oilers recalled forwards Drake Caggiula and <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-recall-noah-philp-and-drake-caggiula-from-ahl-bakersfield">Noah Philp</a> from the Bakersfield Condors on Oct 29. They made an impact almost immediately against the Nashville Predators, with Philp notching his first NHL point with an assist on Corey Perry’s goal and <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/viktor-arvidsson-scores-his-first-goal-with-the-oilers-noah-philp-gets-first-nhl-point">Caggiula recording his first point</a> in an Oilers uniform since the 2018-19 season.</p>
<p>Caggiula, in his second stint with the Oilers, played a solid game alongside Philp and Perry against the Predators, as the line not only scored a goal, but posted a 6-2 scoring chances for ratio and a 3-0 edge in high-danger chances in just over five minutes of ice time at 5v5. It’s still very early, but it’s possible that Caggiula may remain on the Oilers&#8217; fourth line for the foreseeable future, as he brings much-needed grit and some speed to the lineup.</p>
<p>That said, a notable fact is that the Oilers are 1-0 in the Drake 2.0 comeback era, and below, we take a look at more interesting facts about the recently recalled Caggiula.</p>
<h2>Caggiula Was Once Named the NCAA Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player</h2>
<p>Caggiula played four seasons with the University of North Dakota (UND) Fighting Hawks, recording 127 points in 162 games. His stellar senior season, with 51 points in 39 games, caught the attention of NHL teams and made him one of the most sought-after free agents that summer and <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-sign-college-ufa-drake-caggiula">the Oilers were the fortunate team</a> to land him (for the first time) in May 2016.</p>
<p>That said, with Caggiula’s tremendous 2015-16 season at UND, he ranked high in several <a href="https://fightinghawks.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/drake-caggiula/5784">NCAA statistical categories</a>:</p>
<p>-Ranked 1st nationally with a +46 plus/minus rating<br />
-Tied for 3rd nationally with seven game-winning goals<br />
-Tied for 5th nationally with 25 goals<br />
-Tied for 8th nationally with 51 points</p>
<p>In addition, he won a plethora of awards and accolades, including being named to the U.S. College Hockey Online’s All-USCHO First Team and the All-NCHC First Team. He also received UND’s Glenn “Red” Jarrett Male Athlete of the Year Award (across all sports) and the Jeff Anderson Scholarship Award as the team’s Most Valuable Player.</p>
<p>Moreover, he was named <a href="https://bola.oilersnation.com/news/rfa-profile-drake-caggiula-is-still-carving-out-a-niche">the NCAA Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player</a>. He came up clutch for UND by scoring two third-period goals in the national championship game against Quinnipiac, helping the Fighting Hawks win the 2016 NCAA championship.</p>
<h2>Caggiula, Boeser &amp; Schmaltz Formed One of the Best Lines in College Known as the ‘CBS’ Line</h2>
<p>During the 2015-16 season, UND head coach Brad Berry assembled the trio of Caggiula, Brock Boeser (of the Vancouver Canucks), and Nick Schmaltz (currently with Utah Hockey Club), and they became of the best lines in collegiate hockey, known as the &#8216;CBS&#8217; line.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">CBS on the board again. Schmaltz steal, Boeser full-out dive at the blue line to get onsides, Caggiula snipe. Career Goal No. 50.</p>
<p>&mdash; Brad Elliott Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) <a href="https://twitter.com/SchlossmanGF/status/673335826932076544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2015</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>They put together a 34-6-4 record that season, with the ‘CBS Line’ accounting for 63 of North Dakota’s 162 goals. Caggiula, just like he did in his last stint with the Oilers, was the line engine, forechecking aggressively and grinding for pucks. Schmaltz was the skilled playmaker, while Boeser was the line’s sniper, <a href="https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2021/03/02/north-dakota-schmaltz-caggiula-embrace-reunion-with-coyotes/">scoring 27 goals that season</a>—second among NCAA freshmen behind Kyle Connor. Together, the trio finished with a combined +135 plus/minus rating.</p>
<p>That said, the ‘CBS’ line played a big role in the Fighting Hawks winning the NCAA championship that season and here&#8217;s an additional fun fact— current Oilers D-man <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/5-interesting-facts-about-oilers-defenceman-troy-stecher">Troy Stecher</a> was also part of that championship squad, serving as an alternate captain alongside Caggiula.</p>
<p>Furthermore, Caggiula reunited with one of his linemates, Schmaltz, in the NHL. They played together with <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/caggiula-more-comfortable-in-chicago-after-trade">the Blackhawks during the 2018-19 season</a> and again during the shortened 2020-21 season with the Arizona Coyotes.</p>
<h2>Caggiula and Connor McDavid Knew Each Other as Youngsters</h2>
<p>Caggiula is quite familiar with a few Oilers, having played with <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/looking-back-at-connor-mcdavids-history-with-injury-and-how-the-oilers-have-done-without-him">Connor McDavid,</a> Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Darnell Nurse, who are the remaining players from his last stint with the team back in the 2018-19 season.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another look at @drakecaggiula&#39;s first <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHL</a> goal! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ANAvsEDM?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ANAvsEDM</a> <a href="https://t.co/7Y3Ygf6SK5">pic.twitter.com/7Y3Ygf6SK5</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) <a href="https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/805274033306488832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2016</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Additionally, the first time he signed with the Oilers in 2016, McDavid was instrumental in convincing the 5-foot-11 forward to come to Edmonton as a free agent from college, <a href="https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/edmonton-oilers/drake-caggiula-now-finds-himself-on-line-with-old-schoolmate-connor-mcdavid">as he mentioned</a> at the time, “Right before I signed with the Oilers though, I reached out to Connor and asked him what Edmonton was like. I was doing a background check on where I wanted to go.”</p>
<p>On top of that, their history goes back to their youth when they both attended <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/2020/08/05/blackhawks-center-drake-caggiulas-friendship-with-oilers-star-connor-mcdavid-goes-back-to-high-school-but-thats-put-on-hold-during-a-postseason-series/">Premier Elite Athletes’ Collegiate (PEAC)</a>, which used to be a private school for aspiring elite athletes. The Pickering, ON native, graduated from PEAC in 2012, three years ahead of McDavid, who was in ninth grade during Caggiula’s senior year. Although they didn’t play together frequently due to the age difference, they still formed a connection.</p>
<h2>Being Traded From the Oilers Allowed Caggiula to Play with His Favourite Players From His Youth</h2>
<p>On Dec. 30, 2018, in what seemed like a<a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/peter-chiarelli-talks-trades-for-alex-petrovic-and-brandon-manning"> desperate move by former Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli</a>, he traded the then-24-year-old Caggiula, along with Jason Garrison, to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for D-man Brandon Manning as the main piece coming back.</p>
<p>For those who may not recall, Manning was the player who caused McDavid to break his clavicle in his rookie season, and to this day, it&#8217;s baffling why Chiarelli thought it was a good idea to bring him to Edmonton, but that’s a topic for another time.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, the outcome was that Caggiula joined the Blackhawks, giving him the chance to play with someone he had looked up to in his youth, Jonathan Toews. He recalled watching the former Blackhawks’ captain in the 2007 World Juniors, <a href="https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/ice-time-get-to-know-und-forward-drake-caggiula">saying</a>, “I was probably about 12 years old. I was watching and I was like, &#8216;Wow, this guy is unbelievable.&#8217;”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="ro" dir="ltr">Alternate angle of Toews’ 35th goal</p>
<p>Caggiula ➡️ Kane ➡️ Toews 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blackhawks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Blackhawks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHIvsSTL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHIvsSTL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HockeyTwitter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HockeyTwitter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHL</a> <a href="https://t.co/lDn92RcMiz">pic.twitter.com/lDn92RcMiz</a></p>
<p>&mdash; ✶ ✶Tony G✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) <a href="https://twitter.com/Certified_TonyG/status/1113609044181360641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2019</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>When Caggiula first arrived in Chicago, he also expressed his excitement about being on the same team as Toews and also Patrick Kane, <a href="https://edmontonsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/edmonton-oilers/caggiula-played-with-mcdavid-on-the-edmonton-oilers-now-kane-and-toews-in-chicago">stating</a>, &#8220;You walk in there and see the pictures and all the Stanley Cup stuff. Growing up, my two favourite players were Toews and Patrick Kane. I had their jerseys when I was a kid.&#8221;</p>
<p>Caggiula played a total of 66 regular season games for the Blackhawks, recording 27 points, and appeared in eight playoff games, where he tallied three points. Interestingly, from 2018 to 2020, the two linemates he played the most time with were none other than Toews (466:49 minutes) and Kane (305:15 minutes).</p>
<p>Hopefully, the current Oiler can enjoy a lengthy stay in the NHL this season. Yet, when his career is all said and done, it’s an incredible achievement for him to say that he was a linemate with some of the best to ever play the game—Toews, Kane, and McDavid. With that in mind, what are your expectations for Caggiula during his second stint with the Oilers?</p>
<h2><strong>PRESENTED BY ODD COMPANY</strong></h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-161882 aligncenter" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/02/website-banner-727x404-1.png" alt="" width="727" height="404" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/02/website-banner-727x404-1.png 727w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/02/website-banner-727x404-1-300x167.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 727px) 100vw, 727px" /></p>
<p>We’re beyond excited to announce our latest partnership with Odd Company Brewing to bring you <a href="https://www.oddcompany.ca/new-blog/2024/10/8/nationbeer-everyday-lager" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the all-new Nation Beer</a> Everyday Lager! Whether you&#8217;re watching the big game, chilling with friends, or just kicking back after a long day, this crisp, refreshing lager is the perfect choice. It’s the brew you can count on anytime, anywhere. So, why not make it your next game-day tradition? Nation Beer Everyday Lager is available now at Odd Company Brewing and through Liquor Connect. Don’t miss out—grab yours today and take your beer game to the next level! Cheers, Nation Citizens!</p>


With Connor McDavid injured, the Edmonton Oilers recalled forwards Drake Caggiula and <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-recall-noah-philp-and-drake-caggiula-from-ahl-bakersfield">Noah Philp</a> from the Bakersfield Condors on Oct 29. They made an impact almost immediately against the Nashville Predators, with Philp notching his first NHL point with an assist on Corey Perry’s goal and <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/viktor-arvidsson-scores-his-first-goal-with-the-oilers-noah-philp-gets-first-nhl-point">Caggiula recording his first point</a> in an Oilers uniform since the 2018-19 season.

Caggiula, in his second stint with the Oilers, played a solid game alongside Philp and Perry against the Predators, as the line not only scored a goal, but posted a 6-2 scoring chances for ratio and a 3-0 edge in high-danger chances in just over five minutes of ice time at 5v5. It’s still very early, but it’s possible that Caggiula may remain on the Oilers' fourth line for the foreseeable future, as he brings much-needed grit and some speed to the lineup.

That said, a notable fact is that the Oilers are 1-0 in the Drake 2.0 comeback era, and below, we take a look at more interesting facts about the recently recalled Caggiula.
<h2>Caggiula Was Once Named the NCAA Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player</h2>
Caggiula played four seasons with the University of North Dakota (UND) Fighting Hawks, recording 127 points in 162 games. His stellar senior season, with 51 points in 39 games, caught the attention of NHL teams and made him one of the most sought-after free agents that summer and <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-sign-college-ufa-drake-caggiula">the Oilers were the fortunate team</a> to land him (for the first time) in May 2016.

That said, with Caggiula’s tremendous 2015-16 season at UND, he ranked high in several <a href="https://fightinghawks.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/drake-caggiula/5784">NCAA statistical categories</a>:

-Ranked 1st nationally with a +46 plus/minus rating
-Tied for 3rd nationally with seven game-winning goals
-Tied for 5th nationally with 25 goals
-Tied for 8th nationally with 51 points

In addition, he won a plethora of awards and accolades, including being named to the U.S. College Hockey Online’s All-USCHO First Team and the All-NCHC First Team. He also received UND’s Glenn “Red” Jarrett Male Athlete of the Year Award (across all sports) and the Jeff Anderson Scholarship Award as the team’s Most Valuable Player.

Moreover, he was named <a href="https://bola.oilersnation.com/news/rfa-profile-drake-caggiula-is-still-carving-out-a-niche">the NCAA Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player</a>. He came up clutch for UND by scoring two third-period goals in the national championship game against Quinnipiac, helping the Fighting Hawks win the 2016 NCAA championship.
<h2>Caggiula, Boeser &amp; Schmaltz Formed One of the Best Lines in College Known as the ‘CBS’ Line</h2>
During the 2015-16 season, UND head coach Brad Berry assembled the trio of Caggiula, Brock Boeser (of the Vancouver Canucks), and Nick Schmaltz (currently with Utah Hockey Club), and they became of the best lines in collegiate hockey, known as the 'CBS' line.

https://twitter.com/SchlossmanGF/status/673335826932076544

They put together a 34-6-4 record that season, with the ‘CBS Line’ accounting for 63 of North Dakota’s 162 goals. Caggiula, just like he did in his last stint with the Oilers, was the line engine, forechecking aggressively and grinding for pucks. Schmaltz was the skilled playmaker, while Boeser was the line’s sniper, <a href="https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2021/03/02/north-dakota-schmaltz-caggiula-embrace-reunion-with-coyotes/">scoring 27 goals that season</a>—second among NCAA freshmen behind Kyle Connor. Together, the trio finished with a combined +135 plus/minus rating.

That said, the ‘CBS’ line played a big role in the Fighting Hawks winning the NCAA championship that season and here's an additional fun fact— current Oilers D-man <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/5-interesting-facts-about-oilers-defenceman-troy-stecher">Troy Stecher</a> was also part of that championship squad, serving as an alternate captain alongside Caggiula.

Furthermore, Caggiula reunited with one of his linemates, Schmaltz, in the NHL. They played together with <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/caggiula-more-comfortable-in-chicago-after-trade">the Blackhawks during the 2018-19 season</a> and again during the shortened 2020-21 season with the Arizona Coyotes.
<h2>Caggiula and Connor McDavid Knew Each Other as Youngsters</h2>
Caggiula is quite familiar with a few Oilers, having played with <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/looking-back-at-connor-mcdavids-history-with-injury-and-how-the-oilers-have-done-without-him">Connor McDavid,</a> Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Darnell Nurse, who are the remaining players from his last stint with the team back in the 2018-19 season.

https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/805274033306488832

Additionally, the first time he signed with the Oilers in 2016, McDavid was instrumental in convincing the 5-foot-11 forward to come to Edmonton as a free agent from college, <a href="https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/edmonton-oilers/drake-caggiula-now-finds-himself-on-line-with-old-schoolmate-connor-mcdavid">as he mentioned</a> at the time, “Right before I signed with the Oilers though, I reached out to Connor and asked him what Edmonton was like. I was doing a background check on where I wanted to go.”

On top of that, their history goes back to their youth when they both attended <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/2020/08/05/blackhawks-center-drake-caggiulas-friendship-with-oilers-star-connor-mcdavid-goes-back-to-high-school-but-thats-put-on-hold-during-a-postseason-series/">Premier Elite Athletes’ Collegiate (PEAC)</a>, which used to be a private school for aspiring elite athletes. The Pickering, ON native, graduated from PEAC in 2012, three years ahead of McDavid, who was in ninth grade during Caggiula’s senior year. Although they didn’t play together frequently due to the age difference, they still formed a connection.
<h2>Being Traded From the Oilers Allowed Caggiula to Play with His Favourite Players From His Youth</h2>
On Dec. 30, 2018, in what seemed like a<a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/peter-chiarelli-talks-trades-for-alex-petrovic-and-brandon-manning"> desperate move by former Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli</a>, he traded the then-24-year-old Caggiula, along with Jason Garrison, to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for D-man Brandon Manning as the main piece coming back.

For those who may not recall, Manning was the player who caused McDavid to break his clavicle in his rookie season, and to this day, it's baffling why Chiarelli thought it was a good idea to bring him to Edmonton, but that’s a topic for another time.

Nevertheless, the outcome was that Caggiula joined the Blackhawks, giving him the chance to play with someone he had looked up to in his youth, Jonathan Toews. He recalled watching the former Blackhawks’ captain in the 2007 World Juniors, <a href="https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/ice-time-get-to-know-und-forward-drake-caggiula">saying</a>, “I was probably about 12 years old. I was watching and I was like, 'Wow, this guy is unbelievable.'”

https://twitter.com/Certified_TonyG/status/1113609044181360641

When Caggiula first arrived in Chicago, he also expressed his excitement about being on the same team as Toews and also Patrick Kane, <a href="https://edmontonsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/edmonton-oilers/caggiula-played-with-mcdavid-on-the-edmonton-oilers-now-kane-and-toews-in-chicago">stating</a>, "You walk in there and see the pictures and all the Stanley Cup stuff. Growing up, my two favourite players were Toews and Patrick Kane. I had their jerseys when I was a kid."

Caggiula played a total of 66 regular season games for the Blackhawks, recording 27 points, and appeared in eight playoff games, where he tallied three points. Interestingly, from 2018 to 2020, the two linemates he played the most time with were none other than Toews (466:49 minutes) and Kane (305:15 minutes).

Hopefully, the current Oiler can enjoy a lengthy stay in the NHL this season. Yet, when his career is all said and done, it’s an incredible achievement for him to say that he was a linemate with some of the best to ever play the game—Toews, Kane, and McDavid. With that in mind, what are your expectations for Caggiula during his second stint with the Oilers?
<h2><strong>PRESENTED BY ODD COMPANY</strong></h2>
<img class="size-full wp-image-161882 aligncenter" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/02/website-banner-727x404-1.png" alt="" width="727" height="404" />

We’re beyond excited to announce our latest partnership with Odd Company Brewing to bring you <a href="https://www.oddcompany.ca/new-blog/2024/10/8/nationbeer-everyday-lager" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the all-new Nation Beer</a> Everyday Lager! Whether you're watching the big game, chilling with friends, or just kicking back after a long day, this crisp, refreshing lager is the perfect choice. It’s the brew you can count on anytime, anywhere. So, why not make it your next game-day tradition? Nation Beer Everyday Lager is available now at Odd Company Brewing and through Liquor Connect. Don’t miss out—grab yours today and take your beer game to the next level! Cheers, Nation Citizens!

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