Cayla Barnes

Cayla Marie Barnes (born January 7, 1999) is an American ice hockey player for Montreal of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) and the United States women's national ice hockey team. She was drafted fifth overall by Montreal in the 2024 PWHL draft. She played college ice hockey at Boston College and Ohio State.

Amateur and collegiate
As a youth player, Barnes played with the Lady Ducks in California, before leaving home to attend a prep school in New Hampshire at the New Hampton School.

Barnes was one of three co-captains for Boston College in the 2020–21 season, joining teammates Meagan Beres and Kelly Browne.

On March 25, 2023, Barnes announced that she would be transferring to Ohio State University for the 2023–24 season. In her lone season with the Buckeyes and her final year of NCAA eligibility, Barnes recorded 36 points in 39 games, and her +71 plus-minus led the league. In the finals of the national tournament, Barnes had an assist on the championship-winning goal, scored by Joy Dunne, capping off her six-year collegiate career with her first NCAA national championship.

Professional
On June 10, 2024, Barnes was drafted in the first round, fifth overall by Montreal in the 2024 PWHL draft. She signed a three-year contract with the team on June 21, 2024.

International play
Barnes participated in the 2015, 2016, and 2017 IIHF Women's World U18 Championship, being named Best Defender of the tournament in both 2016 and 2017. She also participated in the 2017 U.S. Women's Residency Program.

Barnes would make her senior debut for the US at the age of 19 at the 2018 Winter Olympics, winning a gold medal as the youngest player on the team. She would then score six points in seven games for the US at the 2019 IIHF Women's World Championship, again winning gold and being named to the tournament all-star team.

On January 2, 2022, Barnes was named to Team USA's roster to represent the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Personal life
Barnes attended the New Hampton School, where she played ice hockey, soccer, and lacrosse.