Will Cuylle

William Cuylle ( ; born February 5, 2002) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a winger for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 60th overall by the New York Rangers in the second round of the 2020 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

Early OHL career Cuylle played junior hockey for the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He was the third overall pick in the 2018 OHL draft by the Peterborough Petes, selected behind only Quinton Byfield, who ended being the second overall selection in the 2020 NHL entry draft, and Evan Vierling, and just ahead of Jamie Drysdale, the sixth overall selection in the 2020 NHL entry draft. Cuylle did not think Peterborough was a good fit for him and he committed to play college hockey for Penn State University. When Peterborough traded his rights to Windsor in exchange for seven OHL draft picks, Cuylle decided to play for Windsor.

In his first season with Windsor, Cuylle scored 26 goals, fourth in the OHL among 16-year-old players, and 15 assists for 41 points. After the season, Cuylle was projected by many analysts to be a likely first round draft pick in the 2020 NHL entry draft. He started slowly in the 2019–20 season and had several eight game goal-scoring droughts. He ended up being ranked as the no. 34 draft-eligible North American skater by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau after being ranked no. 22 in mid-season. On April 19, 2021, Cuylle signed an entry-level contract with the New York Rangers.

2021–22 On October 14, 2021, the Windsor Spitfires announced that Cuylle would be the team captain for the 2021–22 OHL season, his third with the team. Cuylle had a much more productive season with Windsor in 2021–22 than his prior seasons, finishing the regular season with 43 goals and 37 assists in 59 games. As a result he was named the OHL's Second Team All-Star left wing.

2022–23 Cuylle began the 2022–23 season with the Hartford Wolf Pack. He was named to the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic during the season. He was called up to the Rangers on January 24, 2023, after recording 13 goals and 7 assists in his first 39 games with Hartford. He made his NHL debut on January 25, in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in his hometown of Toronto. He returned to Hartford after a January 27 game against the Vegas Golden Knights. The Rangers recalled him after the NHL All-Star Game hiatus, but returned him to Hartford after he played two more games when the Rangers acquired forward Vladimir Tarasenko.

2023–24 Cuylle made the Rangers' 2023–24 roster out of training camp. He scored his first NHL goal on October 14, 2023, during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

2025–26 On April 5, 2026, Cuylle scored three goals in an 8–1 win over the Washington Capitals, completing his first hat-trick in an NHL game.

International play

Cuylle was selected to Canada junior team for the 2022 World Junior Championships. He recorded two assists in two games before the tournament was shut down due to COVID-19 pandemic. According to former Windsor coach Trevor Letowski. Cuylle is "a high-energy, physical guy that can get up and down the ice really well for a big guy — and he can score." Hockey writer Larry Brooks said of Cuylle that "He plays in straight lines. He arrives at the puck in ill humor."

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2018–19 Windsor Spitfires OHL 63 26 15 41 50 4 2 1 3 6 2019–20 Windsor Spitfires OHL 62 22 20 42 37 — — — — — 2020–21 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 18 2 3 5 35 — — — — — 2021–22 Windsor Spitfires OHL 59 43 37 80 48 25 15 16 31 30 2022–23 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 69 25 20 45 59 9 1 2 3 2 2022–23 New York Rangers NHL 4 0 0 0 10 — — — — — 2023–24 New York Rangers NHL 81 13 8 21 56 16 1 1 2 8 2024–25 New York Rangers NHL 82 20 25 45 42 — — — — — 2025–26 New York Rangers NHL 82 20 18 38 65 — — — — —NHL totals 249 53 51 104 173 16 1 1 2 8

International