Today is the birthday of Matt Cullen, an NHL hockey player who has played for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, the Florida Panthers and now with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Matt was born in 1976 in the town of Virginia on the Iron Range in northern Minnesota. His father, Terry Cullen, was one of Minnesota’s all-time great high school hockey coaches, which he duly demonstrated when the family moved to Moorhead. During Terry Cullen’s tenure at Moorhead High, the Spuds made it to the state championships in 1992 and have since remained a force to be reckoned.

Under Terry Cullen’s tutelage, Matt and his two younger brothers grew to be outstanding hockey players. The Anaheim Mighty Ducks drafted Matt in 1996; brother Mark went with Minnesota Wild; and Joe was drafted by Edmonton in 2000.

Matt and his brothers picked up their father’s passion for the game at an early age, and all became ardent competitors. Matt was a standout at Moorhead High, and in his senior year, he posted (47 - 42 = 89 in 28 games MERRILL, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN???). He was named AP High School Player of the Year in 1995, was part of the MN All State Teams in 1993-95, and also played at the U.S. Olympic Festival in ‘95.

Minnesota means hockey, and the logical step for Matt after high school was to attend the U of M to play for the Gophers. Instead, he chose the St. Cloud State Huskies, where he would have more game time. Matt scored 5 points in his first college-level game. In fact, he led the Huskies in scaring, made the WCHA All Rookie Team, was added to the U.S. Junior National Team and played in the World Junior Hockey Championships. As a sophomore, he was named to the WCHA All Star team and WCHA All-Academic team.

Then, he started looking higher, to the National Hockey League. On April 4, 1997, he signed an entry-level contract with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and shipped out to the Baltimore Bandits that same day. In the 97-98 campaign, Cullen played for the U.S. National Team in the World Hockey Championships in Sweden, was named Sherwood American Hockey League Player of the week, was AHL Rookie of the Month, and was also selected Planet USA’s MVP.

Cullen made his official NHL debut against Toronto in 1998 and recorded his first NHL point on November 2nd against Detroit. His first goal was against the Florida Panthers on Jan. 21st, and he tied the Anaheim club record for most assists by a rookie that year. Matt played his 100th NHL game in Jan. 1999 and he was again chosen to play with Team USA at the World Hockey Championships, this time in Norway. He’s among Anaheim’s all time leaders in points

Matt is 6'1", over 200 pounds and has retained a “good kid” honest smile. On game day, he tries to sleep four hours before a game and eats macaroni and cheese as his pre-game meal. As for activities the off the ice, he’s been active in the Roger Maris Foundation, the Special Olympics, Boys and Girls clubs and the children’s hospitals of Orange County. He is also honorary captain of the Mighty Pucklings Youth Street Hockey Program.

Despite all the glitz and glamour, Cullen’s fans from his high school days say the 1994 Section championship against Elk River was the best game Cullen ever took part in. Headlines called it the “Game of the Century,” in which the Moorhead Spuds won after three overtimes.

 

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