Drake Caggiula Bio
Drake Caggiula, born on June 20, 1994, is a Canadian professional ice hockey left wing currently playing for Lausanne HC of Switzerland’s National League. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing about 179 pounds, Caggiula has carved out a steady pro career despite going undrafted, beginning in the National Hockey League with the Edmonton Oilers in 2016. He has since suited up for the Chicago Blackhawks, Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins before returning to Edmonton and eventually moving to Europe.
Known for his two-way play, speed and willingness to play a physical role, Caggiula built his reputation as a reliable depth forward during stints in the NHL and later as a veteran contributor on Lausanne’s roster. His journey from minor hockey in Ontario to a professional career spanning North America and Europe traces a path shaped by perseverance, family mentorship and steady development at the collegiate level.
Early Life and Background
Drake Caggiula was born on June 20, 1994, in Pickering, Ontario, Canada, to parents Sal and Terri Caggiula. Growing up in the Greater Toronto Area, he was introduced to the game at a young age and developed his foundational skills through local minor hockey. His father, Sal, served as both coach and mentor from the ages of eight to 15, providing steady guidance that helped shape Caggiula’s work ethic and approach to the game.
Caggiula played minor midget hockey with the Ajax/Pickering Raiders in 2009-10, finishing the season with 95 points through 66 games. That production caught the attention of Ontario Hockey League scouts, and he was selected in the third round of the OHL Priority Selections by the Erie Otters. Rather than move directly to the OHL, Caggiula chose to maintain his NCAA eligibility and continue his development on a different track.
Path to Hockey
To keep his college options open, Caggiula joined the Stouffville Spirit of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) for the 2010-11 season. As a rookie, he recorded 45 points in 48 games and earned a spot on the OJHL North-West Conference 1st Team All-Prospect. His play also drew interest from the United States Hockey League, and he was drafted by the Des Moines Buccaneers, attending their Fall Classic event before returning to Stouffville.
During his second season with the Spirit, Caggiula tallied 17 goals and 37 points, helping the team capture its first-ever OJHL title. He was again named to the OJHL 1st Team All-Prospect and was selected as the most valuable player of the OJHL playoffs. Alongside this run, he also represented his team in the inaugural Central Canada Cup Challenge. Caggiula then accepted a full scholarship to play college hockey at the University of North Dakota, setting the stage for the next phase of his career.
Drake Caggiula Career
University of North Dakota (2012-2016)
Drake Caggiula played for the University of North Dakota from 2012 to 2016 while majoring in kinesiology. As a freshman left winger, he skated on a line alongside Rocco Grimaldi and Carter Rowney and finished second among North Dakota rookies in points, goals and assists through 39 games. During his sophomore year, he helped North Dakota reach the 2014 Frozen Four, where the team fell 2-1 to Minnesota.
In his junior year, Caggiula was invited to the Buffalo Sabres’ 2014 Development Camp and opened the season by averaging 1.44 points per game in November, leading his conference in scoring. He capped the year with a selection to the NCHC Second All-Star Team. The following season, Caggiula led North Dakota to the 2016 NCAA championship and was named Most Outstanding Player of the Frozen Four, while also earning Second-Team All-American West and NCHC First All-Star Team honors.
Edmonton Oilers (2016-2018)
After his senior season, Caggiula signed a two-year entry-level deal with the Edmonton Oilers on May 7, 2016, becoming one of the most sought-after collegiate free agents that year. An injury delayed his NHL debut, but he finally took the ice on November 19, 2016, in a 5-2 win over the Dallas Stars. He scored his first NHL goal on December 3, 2016, netting the winner in an overtime victory against the Anaheim Ducks. On June 14, 2018, Caggiula re-signed with the Oilers on a two-year contract.
Chicago Blackhawks (2018-2020)
On December 30, 2018, Caggiula was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks along with Jason Garrison in exchange for Brandon Manning and Robin Norell. He scored his first goal as a Blackhawk on February 1, 2019, in a 7-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres. During the 2018-19 season, a hand injury suffered against the St. Louis Blues limited his time, though he still managed 10 points in 23 games. In 2019-20, he posted 9 goals and 15 points across 40 games before the season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. Chicago did not tender him a qualifying offer in October 2020, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Arizona Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres (2020-2022)
On December 21, 2020, Caggiula signed a one-year, $700,000 contract with the Arizona Coyotes. He appeared in 27 games during the pandemic-delayed 2020-21 season, recording 1 goal and 7 points before being placed on waivers on April 8, 2021. The Buffalo Sabres claimed him the following day. With the Sabres, Caggiula signed a one-year, $750,000 extension on July 27, 2021, and spent the 2021-22 season in the organization before reaching free agency.
Pittsburgh Penguins and Return to Edmonton (2022-2025)
On July 13, 2022, Caggiula signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. After one season in Pittsburgh, he returned to the Edmonton Oilers on July 1, 2023, on a two-year, two-way contract. His second stint with the Oilers lasted through the 2024-25 season, during which he continued to serve as a veteran depth forward and contributor.
Lausanne HC (2025-Present)
On June 2, 2025, Caggiula signed a one-year contract to play for Lausanne HC in Switzerland’s National League, beginning a new chapter of his professional career abroad. The move followed the end of his second stint with the Edmonton Oilers and marked his first opportunity to compete in European hockey at the top professional tier.
Driving Style and Strengths
Caggiula is recognized for his skating speed, two-way responsibility and willingness to play a physical, energy-giving role. Coaches have valued his versatility on the wing and his ability to contribute on the penalty kill, while his compact frame and quick first step allow him to pressure opponents and create turnovers in all three zones.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Caggiula’s signature moments are his first NHL goal in overtime against the Anaheim Ducks in December 2016 and his starring role in North Dakota’s 2016 NCAA championship run, which earned him Most Outstanding Player honors. He also reached a personal milestone by scoring his first goal as a Chicago Blackhawk against the Buffalo Sabres in February 2019.
Drake Caggiula Career Wins
Drake Caggiula’s career has been defined less by championship hardware and more by consistent contributions at every level he has played. His most celebrated team triumph came at the collegiate level, where he helped the University of North Dakota capture the 2016 NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey championship. He also played a leading role in the Stouffville Spirit’s first OJHL title during his junior career.
NCAA Highlights
Caggiula’s NCAA résumé is anchored by the 2016 national championship with North Dakota, for which he was named Most Outstanding Player of the Frozen Four. He added Second-Team All-American West and NCHC First All-Star Team selections that same year, marking him as one of the top collegiate players in the country.
Junior Highlights
During his time with the Stouffville Spirit, Caggiula back-to-back OJHL 1st Team All-Prospect honors and was named the most valuable player of the OJHL playoffs while leading the team to its first-ever league title. Earlier, he finished his minor midget season with 95 points in 66 games for the Ajax/Pickering Raiders.
Drake Caggiula Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Drake Caggiula was raised in Pickering, Ontario, by his parents, Sal and Terri Caggiula. His father, Sal, coached and mentored him from the ages of eight to 15, providing the foundational hockey instruction that helped launch his competitive career. His older brother, Brody, also played hockey and has worked as a Level 4R official within the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, keeping the family closely tied to the game.
Personal Life
Public details about Caggiula’s personal life remain limited. He is known to come from a close-knit family in Pickering whose involvement in hockey has shaped much of his development, and he has continued his professional career abroad with Lausanne HC while maintaining ties to his Canadian roots.
2025 Season Performance
Drake Caggiula entered the 2025 calendar year in the final stretch of his second stint with the Edmonton Oilers, serving as a veteran depth forward on a contending roster. Following the conclusion of that NHL commitment, he signed a one-year contract with Lausanne HC of Switzerland’s National League on June 2, 2025, transitioning to European hockey for the first time in his professional career.
With Lausanne, Caggiula is expected to bring NHL experience, two-way reliability and a physical edge to a club competing in one of Europe’s stronger domestic leagues. His role is likely to center on energy lines, special teams contribution and veteran leadership for a roster blending Swiss and international talent. As the 2025-26 National League season unfolds, he will look to translate his North American résumé into consistent production on the larger international ice surface.
For Lausanne HC, the addition of a player with Caggiula’s résumé offers an experienced presence in the locker room and on the wing. His performance through the early months of the season will shape how the club deploys him in key situations, and a strong opening stretch could position him as a trusted contributor during the league’s stretch run and playoff push.