Alyn Daniel McCauley (born May 29, 1977) is a former 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. McCauley was born in Brockville, Ontario, but grew up in Gananoque, Ontario. On February 3, 2022, he was named Director of Player Personnel for the Philadelphia Flyers.[1]

Alyn McCauley
McCauley in 2015
Born (1977-05-29) May 29, 1977 (age 47)
Gananoque, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Toronto Maple Leafs
San Jose Sharks
Los Angeles Kings
NHL draft 79th overall, 1995
New Jersey Devils
Playing career 1997–2007

Junior career

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McCauley was a junior hockey superstar with the Ontario Hockey League (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 called McCauley the best player he had ever coached.[2]

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

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On February 25, 1997, the New Jersey Devils dealt McCauley, along with Jason Smith and Steve Sullivan, 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, Toronto traded McCauley, Brad Boyes, and Toronto's first round choice in 2003 to the San Jose Sharks, with power forward Owen 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.

Other

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During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, McCauley studied at Athabasca University.

On August 15, 2008, McCauley accepted a position as an assistant coach with the Queen's Golden Gaels men's hockey team.[3]

McCauley has served as a pro scout for the Los Angeles Kings, with whom he received Stanley Cup rings in 2012 and 2014.[4] From 2018 to 2022, he was a pro scout with the Philadelphia Flyers, and on February 3, 2022, he was named their director of player personnel.[5]

Awards

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Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1991–92 Kingston Voyageurs MetJHL 37 5 17 22 6
1992–93 Kingston Voyageurs MetJHL 38 31 29 60 18
1993–94 Ottawa 67's OHL 38 13 23 36 10 13 5 14 19 4
1994–95 Ottawa 67's OHL 65 16 38 54 20
1995–96 Ottawa 67's OHL 55 34 48 82 24 2 0 0 0 0
1996–97 Ottawa 67's OHL 50 56 56 112 16 22 14 22 36 14
1997–98 St. John's Maple Leafs AHL 3 0 1 1 0
1997–98 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 60 6 10 16 6
1998–99 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 39 9 15 24 2
1999–2000 St. John's Maple Leafs AHL 5 1 1 2 0
1999–2000 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 45 5 5 10 10 5 0 0 0 6
2000–01 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 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 NHL 10 1 0 1 2
NHL totals 488 69 97 166 116 52 7 12 19 18

International

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Year Team Event   GP G A Pts PIM
1996 Canada WJC 6 2 3 5 2
1997 Canada WJC 7 0 5 5 2
Junior totals 13 2 8 10 4

References

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  1. ^ "Flyers make a pair of promotions within hockey operations". RSN. February 3, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  2. ^ "NHL Player Search - Player - Alyn McCauley". Legends of Hockey. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  3. ^ "Former Leaf Alyn McCauley joins Queen's coaching staff". Toronto Star. Kingston, Ontario. August 15, 2008. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  4. ^ "LA Kings Staff Directory - Los Angeles Kings - Team". Kings.nhl.com. October 31, 2005. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  5. ^ Barnhill, John H. (2011), "Philadelphia Flyers", Encyclopedia of Sports Management and Marketing, Thousand Oaks, CA United States: SAGE Publications, Inc., doi:10.4135/9781412994156.n554, ISBN 9781412973823, retrieved March 31, 2022
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Preceded by San Jose Sharks captain
2003–04
10 games
Succeeded by
Preceded by CHL Player of the Year
1997
Succeeded by