Columbus Blue Jackets top prospect Cayden Lindstrom is heading to the NCAA.
The power forward confirmed he would be leaving the WHL champion Medicine Hat Tigers next season in an interview with Aaron Portzline of The Athletic published Thursday.
"It was a really hard decision to leave Medicine Hat," Lindstrom told Portzline. "(GM and coach) Willy Desjardins, and (assistant coaches) Joe Frazer and Josh Maser were such great supporters for me in my career. It was super hard, but I’m heading to Michigan State. I committed there, and that’s where I’ll be playing."
Lindstrom, 19, was the No. 4 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft by the Blue Jackets. He missed the entire 2024-25 regular season due to back surgery and only rejoined the Tigers during the WHL championship series against the Spokane Chiefs. He had two goals and four points in seven games this season between the WHL Final and Memorial Cup.
Portzline reports that the Blue Jackets haven't signed Lindstrom to his entry-level contract in anticipation of his move to the NCAA. Next season will be the first time players with CHL experience will be able to compete in U.S. college hockey, and Lindstrom is one of many players making the jump.
"The travel is so much easier (in college). The facilities (in East Lansing) are great," Lindstrom said. "It’ll help me recover my body and put me in a position to have a really long career."
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