Matt Cullen (2023) - Hall of Fame - St. Cloud State University Athletics

Matt Cullen

Induction:
2023
Class:
1997

Matt Cullen, a 21-year NHL veteran, three-time Stanley Cup champion who recently had his number retired by the men’s hockey program, blossomed into an elite hockey player in his two seasons with St. Cloud State in the mid-90’s. The Moorhead, Minn., native spent two seasons with the Huskies (1995-97), earning Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Rookie Team honors in 1995-96 and Second Team honors in 1996-97. He led the team in assists and points (12-29-41 in 1995-96 & 15-30-45 in 1996-97) in both seasons in the red and black, and currently ranks 52^nd all-time on the Division-I all-time scoring list with 86 points (27-59-86). His career point total (86) is the most among any Husky who played two seasons. His sophomore campaign (1996-97) still ranks as one of the tops all-time in SCSU history, as his marks of five game-winning goals, three shorthanded goals and 30 assists rank fourth, fifth and ninth, respectively on the all-time single season record list.

Cullen was one of three Huskies to represent the United States at the 2006 Olympics, as he was joined by Bret Hedican and Mark Parrish. At the national level, Cullen was named a six-time National Junior Team or National Team selection (1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004) and helped the United States capture bronze at the 2004 World Championships. Cullen is one of 21 players in NHL history to play in over 1,500 games, as his 21-year professional career spanned three decades, eight teams and three Stanley Cup championships. Cullen hoisted the Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, and with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. In 1,516 career games, Cullen registered 266 goals and 465 assists for 731 points. In addition to Carolina (2005-06, 07-10) and Pittsburgh (2015-17, 18-19), Cullen also played with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997-03), Florida Panthers (2003-04), New York Rangers (2006-07), Ottawa Senators (2010), Minnesota Wild (2010-13) and Nashville Predators (2013-15).

Off the ice, Cullen founded the “Cullen’s Children’s Foundation”, also known as “Cully’s Kids”, in 2003. The foundation provides financial resources to organizations that support children’s healthcare needs with an emphasis in cancer. He remains active in his hometown of Moorhead, and recently purchased the Fargo Force of the USHL in 2020. He returned to the SCSU campus in January 2023, where his number 9 was retired, as he became the second Husky to have his number hang in the rafters at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.