Draft Night Overview
Wyatt Cullen, a freshman at the University of Minnesota, was selected 10th overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, marking a significant milestone in his budding career.
During the 2025‑26 campaign he recorded 34 points in 34 games, ranking seventh in league scoring, and he led Team USA with nine points in five games at the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship in Slovakia.
A Family Legacy
His father, Matt Cullen, a three‑time Stanley Cup champion and former NHL player, now serves as Director of Player Development for the Gophers, guiding his son’s transition to professional hockey.
Predators' Minnesota Connection
The Predators have a history of drafting Minnesota talent, having selected eight players from the state; currently, Erik Haula, Brady Skjei and Matthew Wood wear the Nashville jersey, while Erik Johnson remains the highest‑drafted Minnesotan, chosen first overall in 2006.
Broader Minnesota Pipeline
Logan Cooley, Jacob Rombach and Erik Pahlsson, fellow Gophers prospects, are also part of the broader Minnesota pipeline that the Predators continue to nurture.