Will Cuylle Bio
William Cuylle, born on February 5, 2002, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a left winger for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 209 pounds, Cuylle combines size, speed, and physicality, earning recognition as a power forward in the modern NHL. Drafted 60th overall by the Rangers in the second round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, he began his professional career in 2021 and has steadily built a reputation as a reliable two-way winger. His journey through junior hockey, the American Hockey League (AHL), and the NHL reflects a player who has worked hard to reach one of the most competitive leagues in the world.
Early Life and Background
William Cuylle was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, where he grew up surrounded by the deep hockey culture that defines much of Canada. From a young age, he was drawn to the sport, eventually developing the size and skills that would later make him a notable prospect. His early development in the Greater Toronto Area helped lay the foundation for a career that would take him through some of the most respected development pathways in the sport.
Cuylle’s path through youth hockey led him to be selected third overall in the 2018 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection by the Peterborough Petes. However, believing that Peterborough was not the right fit, he initially committed to playing college hockey at Penn State University. When Peterborough later traded his rights to the Windsor Spitfires in exchange for seven OHL draft picks, Cuylle reconsidered and chose to begin his major-junior career with Windsor.
Path to Hockey
Cuylle joined the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League for the 2018–19 season, immediately showing promise as a top young prospect. In his first OHL season, he scored 26 goals and added 15 assists for 41 points, finishing fourth among all 16-year-old players in the OHL in goals. The following season, despite a slower start and several goal-scoring droughts, he still managed 22 goals and 20 assists for 42 points, improving on his point total from the year before.
Heading into the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Cuylle was widely projected as a potential first-round pick. The NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked him as the 34th-best draft-eligible North American skater in the final rankings, down from 22nd at mid-season, after he was seen as having drifted away from his power-forward identity. The New York Rangers selected him 60th overall in the second round, a pick that has since proven to be excellent value for the organization.
Will Cuylle Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
After two productive seasons with the Windsor Spitfires, Cuylle’s development was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the cancellation of the 2020–21 OHL season. He spent that year with the Rangers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, appearing in 18 games and recording two goals and three assists for five points. On April 19, 2021, he signed an entry-level contract with the New York Rangers, officially beginning his professional career.
OHL Breakthrough and AHL Development (2021–2023)
Returning to Windsor for the 2021–22 season, Cuylle was named team captain on October 14, 2021, and delivered a breakout year. He finished the regular season with 43 goals and 37 assists in 59 games, earning recognition as a Second Team All-Star left winger in the OHL. That summer, he represented Canada at the 2022 World Junior Championships, recording two assists in two games before the tournament was halted due to COVID-19 concerns.
Cuylle began the 2022–23 season with the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL, where his strong play earned him a selection to the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic. After recording 13 goals and 7 assists in his first 39 AHL games, he was called up to the Rangers on January 24, 2023, and made his NHL debut the following day against the Toronto Maple Leafs in his hometown. He split the remainder of the season between New York and Hartford as the Rangers made several roster moves, including the acquisition of Vladimir Tarasenko.
New York Rangers Era (2023–Present)
Cuylle earned a roster spot with the Rangers out of training camp ahead of the 2023–24 season, cementing his place in the NHL. On October 14, 2023, he scored his first NHL goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets, a milestone moment in his young career. He continued to develop into a regular contributor, using his size and physicality to carve out a role in the Rangers’ forward group.
In the 2025–26 season, Cuylle delivered one of his most memorable performances on April 5, 2026, scoring three goals in an 8–1 win over the Washington Capitals to record his first NHL hat-trick. He also represented Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where he recorded two goals and two assists in eight games, further establishing his presence on the international stage.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cuylle is widely regarded as a power forward whose game is built on physicality, straight-line skating, and a heavy shot. He models his play after Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson, and his style has drawn comparisons to players like Matthew Tkachuk, Jamie Benn, Brendan Lemieux, and Milan Lucic. Former Windsor coach Trevor Letowski has described him as a high-energy, physical player who can get up and down the ice effectively for a big man, while also possessing the hands and hockey sense to contribute offensively.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Cuylle’s most notable milestones are his first NHL goal on October 14, 2023, against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and his first NHL hat-trick on April 5, 2026, in an 8–1 victory over the Washington Capitals. He also served as captain of the Windsor Spitfires in 2021–22 and represented Canada at both the 2022 World Junior Championships and the 2025 IIHF World Championship.
Will Cuylle Career Wins
Although win totals in hockey are typically tracked at the team level rather than individually, Will Cuylle has built a strong résumé of personal achievements across junior, AHL, and NHL competition. His consistent production at every level has marked him as one of the more reliable young power forwards in the game.
OHL Highlights
Cuylle enjoyed his most statistically productive season in 2021–22 with the Windsor Spitfires, recording 43 goals and 37 assists in 59 games and earning Second Team All-Star left wing honors. His first major junior season in 2018–19 produced 26 goals and 15 assists, while his 2019–20 campaign saw him post 22 goals and 20 assists despite early struggles.
Other Wins and Performances
Cuylle’s selection to the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic highlighted his strong start with the Hartford Wolf Pack, and his appearances at the 2022 World Junior Championships and the 2025 IIHF World Championship underscored his standing in Canadian hockey. His first NHL hat-trick in April 2026 stands as one of the signature achievements of his early NHL career.
Will Cuylle Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Limited public information is available about Will Cuylle’s parents or family background. He was raised in Toronto, Ontario, where his connection to hockey developed from an early age, and his family supported his progression through the junior ranks to the professional level.
Personal Life
Will Cuylle is a Canadian national born in Toronto, Ontario. There is limited publicly available verified information about his spouse, children, or residence. He maintains a presence on social media, including an active Instagram account.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025–26 season represented another important step forward in Will Cuylle’s development with the New York Rangers. He earned his place in the lineup out of training camp and continued to provide the team with a combination of physicality, energy, and scoring touch that head coach Peter Laviolette had praised entering the previous season.
Cuylle’s biggest moment of the season came on April 5, 2026, when he scored three goals in an 8–1 win over the Washington Capitals, recording his first NHL hat-trick. The performance highlighted the offensive upside he brings to the Rangers’ forward group and reinforced the confidence the organization has shown in his continued growth.
Off the ice, Cuylle also represented Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, recording two goals and two assists in eight games. With his combination of size, skating ability, and finishing skill, Cuylle is positioned as a key piece of the Rangers’ core for the foreseeable future.
