Cayden Lindstrom

Cayden Lindstrom entered the world on February 3, 2006 in Chetwynd British Columbia and developed into a dominant center and natural athlete who became one of the top prospects for the 2024 NHL Draft. The 6'4" 213-pound athlete possesses exceptional speed along with physical strength and elite puck-handling abilities which make him a rare find at his age.

The Medicine Hat Tigers drafted Lindstrom 54th overall in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft before he advanced to become a full-time player in the 2022-23 season where he scored 19 goals and 42 points across 61 games. The 2023-24 season marked his breakout year as he scored 27 goals and accumulated 46 points in only 32 games which led to him winning the CHL Top Draft Prospect Award and securing a third position among North American skaters according to NHL Central Scouting.

The medical clearance and recovery plans that NHL teams received from Lindstrom became evident when he returned to play in the playoffs despite missing part of the season because of hand and back injuries. The Canadian national team awarded him gold at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup while he gained international experience.

The Columbus Blue Jackets chose him fourth overall during the 2024 NHL Entry Draft because they valued his unique combination of power and speed with scoring ability. The new CHL-to-NCAA eligibility rules allowed Lindstrom to join Michigan State's NCAA program for the 2025-26 season after he received further development plans.

The hockey world admires Lindstrom because of his ability to protect the puck and his strong net-front presence and transition skills while he actively works to enhance his on-ice intelligence and game consistency. His mature approach to feedback and driven personality make him a strong candidate to develop into an elite NHL center.