Jul. 1—GRAND FORKS — Judd Caulfield spent last season on an American Hockey League contract.

That won't be the case this year.

Caulfield, a former Grand Forks Central and UND forward, parlayed an impressive season with the San Diego Gulls into a two-year NHL contract with the Anaheim Ducks.

Caulfield will make $850,000 in 2026-27 and $900,000 in 2027-28 if he's in the NHL. If he's with Anaheim's top minor-league club, San Diego, he will make $175,000 in 2026-27 and $250,000 in 2027-28,

according to PuckPedia.

Caulfield scored 17 goals and tallied 38 points in 71 games for the Gulls in 2025-26. He set career highs in goals, assists and points.

"I'm definitely feeling a lot more comfortable in the league, being my third full season," Caulfield told the Herald in February. "It's a bit of an adjustment at first — a different pace and playing older players again. There are shutdown 'D' that have been in the league for six to eight years. Playing against those types of players, it's definitely tough. I'm re-finding my game, using my physicality. I've been more physical this year. I've been able to protect pucks and hold onto pucks more this year, not getting knocked off as easily."

The 6-foot-3, 207-pound winger tallied 26 points as a rookie and 25 his second full professional season.

Caulfield played two seasons of prep hockey for Central, helping the Knights win a state championship as a sophomore in 2017.

Then, he joined the U.S. National Team Development Program for two seasons.

Caulfield played at UND from 2019-23, helping the Fighting Hawks win the Penrose Cup as National Collegiate Hockey Conference champions his first three seasons. He finished his UND career with 133 games, 29 goals and 62 points.

After his senior season, Caulfield's NHL rights were traded from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Ducks, and he signed a two-year deal with Anaheim.

After that contract ran out, he signed an AHL contract with San Diego for 2025-26. The Gulls qualified for the playoffs, but lost to the Colorado Eagles in the first round.

Caulfield said he's enjoyed San Diego.

"It's nice, because you can get away from the rink a little bit, walk along the beach and enjoy nice weather out here," he said. "It's always nice to get away and get a mental reset. It's so easy to do out here."