A Dynasty Continues
Sixteen‑year‑old forward Joey Cullen has pledged to join the University of Minnesota’s Gophers hockey program, bringing to a close a recruitment saga that has been followed by fans and analysts alike.
Cullen follows a lineage that includes his father Matt Cullen, a three‑time Stanley Cup champion, and his older brothers Wyatt and Brooks, both of whom are already slated to wear the maroon and gold next season.
Ranked as the top American prospect in his age group by veteran college‑hockey columnist Brad Schlossman, Cullen has already demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure, highlighted by a decisive goal in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup victory over Slovakia.
Despite missing a dozen games with a broken wrist, he led his state‑champion high school team to a second straight Class AA title, finishing with 40 points in an injury‑shortened sophomore campaign that earned praise from Moorhead coach John Ammerman for his work ethic and leadership.
Wyatt Cullen’s recent selection tenth overall by the Nashville Predators in the NHL draft adds another layer of excitement, as the family prepares for a potential trio on the Gophers roster in the 2028‑29 season after a year with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in Michigan.
The commitment underscores the Gophers’ continued dominance in attracting elite talent and reaffirms the Cullen family’s deep roots in Minnesota hockey, a connection that stretches back to locker rooms in Nashville, Pittsburgh and beyond.