Alyn McCauley
Encyclopedia
Alyn Daniel McCauley is a retired Canadian
professional ice hockey
player who played in the National Hockey League
(NHL) for ten years with the Toronto Maple Leafs
, San Jose Sharks
, and the Los Angeles Kings
. Prior to his NHL career, McCauley was named CHL Player of the Year
for 1996–97
while a member of the Ottawa 67's
.
(OHL)'s Ottawa 67's
. At the age of 16, McCauley earned a roster spot with the 67's, and enjoyed a highly successful four-year career with the club which culminated with his being named CHL Player of the Year
for 1996–97
. He was also a First Team All-Star in 1996
and 1997 and represented Canada
at the 1996
and 1997 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
, winning gold medals on both occasions. Prior to these two outstanding seasons in Ottawa, McCauley was selected in the fourth round of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft
, 79th overall by the New Jersey Devils
, though he would never play with the team. Brian Kilrea
, the long-time head coach of the 67's, once gave McCauley the ultimate compliment by calling him the best player he had ever coached.
Several concussions almost ended McCauley's promising career before he had ever played a single NHL game, including one which sidelined him for about half of the 1998–99 season.
, to the rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs
in exchange for Doug Gilmour
, Dave Ellett, and New Jersey's 3rd round choice in 1999
. McCauley was used primarily as a defensive forward in his rookie season in Toronto, and was limited to just six goals and 16 points. Concussion issues continued to plague him as a pro, and these injuries deeply affected his contributions on the ice. By 2000–01
, he found himself in the minors with the American Hockey League
(AHL)'s St. John's Maple Leafs
, though he was called up to Toronto for the playoffs.
By the start of 2001–02, McCauley earned a roster spot in Toronto and was a key contributor for the Maple Leafs all season long, managing to stay injury free. Though no longer the offensive force he had been as a junior player, he had become a solid two-way performer.
On March 5, 2003, a Toronto team eager to obtain power forward Owen Nolan
, traded McCauley, Brad Boyes
, and Toronto's 1st round choice in 2003
to the San Jose Sharks
, with Nolan going to Toronto in exchange. The change of scenery seemed to benefit McCauley. In his first full season with the Sharks in 2003–04, he established career highs in goals (20) and points (47). McCauley was known for his two-way play and his penalty
-killing abilities, which earned him a Selke Trophy
nomination in 2003–04 as the league's best defensive forward.
After three seasons in San Jose, McCauley signed as a free agent with the division rival Los Angeles Kings
in July 2006. He missed the majority of 2006–07 season recovering from a recurring knee injury, and ultimately played in only 10 games in Los Angeles, scoring one goal.
.
On August 15, 2008, McCauley accepted a position as an assistant coach with the Queen's Golden Gaels
men's hockey team.
Since 2009, McCauley has served as a pro scout
for the NHL's Los Angeles Kings
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player who played in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) for ten years with the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, and the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Prior to his NHL career, McCauley was named CHL Player of the Year
CHL Player of the Year
The CHL Player of the Year award is given out annually to the player judged to be the most outstanding in the Canadian Hockey League. It is selected from the winners of the Red Tilson Trophy , Michel Briere Memorial Trophy , and the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy .-Winners:* 2010-11 Ryan Ellis,...
for 1996–97
1996–97 OHL season
The 1996–97 OHL season was the 17th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Seventeen teams each played 66 games. The Oshawa Generals won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Ottawa 67's...
while a member of the Ottawa 67's
Ottawa 67's
The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...
.
Junior career
McCauley was a junior hockey superstar with the Ontario Hockey LeagueOntario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
(OHL)'s Ottawa 67's
Ottawa 67's
The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...
. At the age of 16, McCauley earned a roster spot with the 67's, and enjoyed a highly successful four-year career with the club which culminated with his being named CHL Player of the Year
CHL Player of the Year
The CHL Player of the Year award is given out annually to the player judged to be the most outstanding in the Canadian Hockey League. It is selected from the winners of the Red Tilson Trophy , Michel Briere Memorial Trophy , and the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy .-Winners:* 2010-11 Ryan Ellis,...
for 1996–97
1996–97 OHL season
The 1996–97 OHL season was the 17th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Seventeen teams each played 66 games. The Oshawa Generals won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Ottawa 67's...
. He was also a First Team All-Star in 1996
1995–96 OHL season
The 1995–96 OHL season was the 16th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Seventeen teams each played 66 games. The Peterborough Petes won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Guelph Storm. The Detroit Junior Red Wings become the Detroit Whalers.-Notes:...
and 1997 and represented Canada
Canada national junior hockey team
The Canadian men's national under 20 ice hockey team is the national under-20 ice hockey team in Canada. The team represents Canada at the International Ice Hockey Federation's World Junior Hockey Championship, held annually every December and January...
at the 1996
1996 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 1996 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 20th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, hosted in Massachusetts...
and 1997 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
1997 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
-Quarterfinals:-Semifinals:-5th place game:-Bronze Medal Game:-Gold Medal Game:-Final standings: was relegated for the 1998 World Juniors-Scoring leaders:-Goaltending leaders:-Pool B:...
, winning gold medals on both occasions. Prior to these two outstanding seasons in Ottawa, McCauley was selected in the fourth round of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft
1995 NHL Entry Draft
The 1995 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Edmonton Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta. The drafting order was now set partially by a lottery system whereby teams would not be guaranteed first pick if they finished last. Instead, a draft lottery was instituted in which the winner of the lottery could move...
, 79th overall by the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, though he would never play with the team. Brian Kilrea
Brian Kilrea
Brian Blair "Killer" Kilrea is an ice hockey head coach, general manager and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in the builders' category, most notably with the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League, with whom Kilrea has been associated for over 35 years...
, the long-time head coach of the 67's, once gave McCauley the ultimate compliment by calling him the best player he had ever coached.
Several concussions almost ended McCauley's promising career before he had ever played a single NHL game, including one which sidelined him for about half of the 1998–99 season.
NHL career
On February 25, 1997, the New Jersey Devils dealt McCauley, along with Jason Smith and Steve SullivanSteve Sullivan
Steve Sullivan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . He has also played for the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators....
, to the rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in exchange for Doug Gilmour
Doug Gilmour
Douglas Robert Gilmour is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who is the current general manager of the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League . During his National Hockey League career, Gilmour played for 7 NHL clubs: the St...
, Dave Ellett, and New Jersey's 3rd round choice in 1999
1999 NHL Entry Draft
The 1999 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 26 at the FleetCenter in Boston, Massachusetts. According to Sports Illustrated and other sports news agencies, at the time the 1999 draft was considered one of the deepest in talent in years, headed by Patrik Stefan and the Sedin twins. However, the...
. McCauley was used primarily as a defensive forward in his rookie season in Toronto, and was limited to just six goals and 16 points. Concussion issues continued to plague him as a pro, and these injuries deeply affected his contributions on the ice. By 2000–01
2000–01 AHL season
The 2000–01 AHL season was the 65th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns its divisions again. The Atlantic division is renamed the Canadian division. The Empire State division is replaced by the South division, with many teams shifting from the Mid-Atlantic division.Twenty...
, he found himself in the minors with the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL)'s St. John's Maple Leafs
St. John's Maple Leafs
The St. John's Maple Leafs were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada at Memorial Stadium from 1991–2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001–2005.-History:...
, though he was called up to Toronto for the playoffs.
By the start of 2001–02, McCauley earned a roster spot in Toronto and was a key contributor for the Maple Leafs all season long, managing to stay injury free. Though no longer the offensive force he had been as a junior player, he had become a solid two-way performer.
On March 5, 2003, a Toronto team eager to obtain power forward Owen Nolan
Owen Nolan
Owen Liam Nolan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, who is currently a free agent. He has played in the National Hockey League for the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames and the Minnesota Wild before signing with...
, traded McCauley, Brad Boyes
Brad Boyes
Bradley Keith Boyes is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League ....
, and Toronto's 1st round choice in 2003
2003 NHL Entry Draft
The 2003 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee on June 21, 2003.Marc-Andre Fleury was selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins, only the third goalie in NHL history selected as the first overall draft choice...
to the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, with Nolan going to Toronto in exchange. The change of scenery seemed to benefit McCauley. In his first full season with the Sharks in 2003–04, he established career highs in goals (20) and points (47). McCauley was known for his two-way play and his penalty
Penalty (ice hockey)
A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,...
-killing abilities, which earned him a Selke Trophy
Frank J. Selke Trophy
The Frank J. Selke Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association following the regular season. It has been awarded 33 times to...
nomination in 2003–04 as the league's best defensive forward.
After three seasons in San Jose, McCauley signed as a free agent with the division rival Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in July 2006. He missed the majority of 2006–07 season recovering from a recurring knee injury, and ultimately played in only 10 games in Los Angeles, scoring one goal.
Other
During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, McCauley studied at Athabasca UniversityAthabasca University
Athabasca University is a Canadian university in Athabasca, Alberta. It is an accredited research institution which also offers distance education courses and programs. Courses are offered primarily in English with some French offerings. Each year, 32,000 students attend the university. It offers...
.
On August 15, 2008, McCauley accepted a position as an assistant coach with the Queen's Golden Gaels
Queen's Golden Gaels
The Queen's Gaels are the athletic teams that represent Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Team colours are blue, red, and gold. Its main home is Richardson Memorial Stadium on West Campus....
men's hockey team.
Since 2009, McCauley has served as a pro scout
Scout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
for the NHL's Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
Awards
- OHLOntario Hockey LeagueThe Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
First All-Star Team (19961995–96 OHL seasonThe 1995–96 OHL season was the 16th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Seventeen teams each played 66 games. The Peterborough Petes won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Guelph Storm. The Detroit Junior Red Wings become the Detroit Whalers.-Notes:...
, 19971996–97 OHL seasonThe 1996–97 OHL season was the 17th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Seventeen teams each played 66 games. The Oshawa Generals won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Ottawa 67's...
) - Red Tilson TrophyRed Tilson TrophyThe Red Tilson Trophy is an annual award given to the most outstanding player in the Ontario Hockey League. The award is voted on by OHL writers and broadcasters, and is named for Red Tilson, a former played for the Oshawa Generals who was killed in service in the Second World War...
(OHL MVP) (1996, 1997) - CHL First All-Star Team (1997)
- CHL Player of the YearCHL Player of the YearThe CHL Player of the Year award is given out annually to the player judged to be the most outstanding in the Canadian Hockey League. It is selected from the winners of the Red Tilson Trophy , Michel Briere Memorial Trophy , and the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy .-Winners:* 2010-11 Ryan Ellis,...
(1997)
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1993–94 1993–94 OHL season The 1993–94 OHL season was the 14th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Sixteen teams each played 66 games. The North Bay Centennials won the J... |
Ottawa 67's Ottawa 67's The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:... |
OHL Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada.... |
38 | 13 | 23 | 36 | 10 | 13 | 5 | 14 | 19 | 4 | ||
| 1994–95 1994–95 OHL season The 1994–95 OHL season was the 15th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Sixteen teams each played 66 games. The Detroit Junior Red Wings won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Guelph Storm... |
Ottawa 67's | OHL | 65 | 16 | 38 | 54 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 1995–96 OHL season The 1995–96 OHL season was the 16th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Seventeen teams each played 66 games. The Peterborough Petes won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Guelph Storm. The Detroit Junior Red Wings become the Detroit Whalers.-Notes:... |
Ottawa 67's | OHL | 55 | 34 | 48 | 82 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1996–97 1996–97 OHL season The 1996–97 OHL season was the 17th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Seventeen teams each played 66 games. The Oshawa Generals won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Ottawa 67's... |
Ottawa 67's | OHL | 50 | 56 | 56 | 112 | 16 | 22 | 14 | 22 | 36 | 14 | ||
| 1997–98 1997–98 AHL season The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western... |
St. John's Maple Leafs St. John's Maple Leafs The St. John's Maple Leafs were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada at Memorial Stadium from 1991–2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001–2005.-History:... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
— | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1997–98 | Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
60 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 39 | 9 | 15 | 24 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 1999–2000 AHL season The 1999–2000 AHL season was the 64th season of the American Hockey League. Nineteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hartford Wolf Pack finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:... |
St. John's Maple Leafs | AHL | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 45 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||
| 2000–01 2000–01 AHL season The 2000–01 AHL season was the 65th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns its divisions again. The Atlantic division is renamed the Canadian division. The Empire State division is replaced by the South division, with many teams shifting from the Mid-Atlantic division.Twenty... |
St. John's Maple Leafs | AHL | 47 | 16 | 28 | 44 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 14 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2001–02 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 82 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 4 | ||
| 2002–03 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 64 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | San Jose Sharks San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 16 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 82 | 20 | 27 | 47 | 28 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2005–06 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 76 | 12 | 14 | 26 | 30 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 2006–07 | Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 488 | 69 | 97 | 166 | 116 | 52 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 18 | ||||