Wyatt Cullen, a native of Moorhead, Minnesota, is poised to make a splash in college hockey as he prepares to join the University of Minnesota Gophers for the 2026‑27 season.
Family Ties and Coaching Legacy
He will be accompanied by his brother Brooks Cullen, who also committed to the Gophers, while their father Matt Cullen, an NHL veteran and the program’s Director of Player Development, will guide both on and off the ice.
Cullen’s selection by the Nashville Predators marks him as a top‑10 NHL Draft pick, making him the highest‑drafted Gopher since Logan Cooley in 2022.
Development Through the NTDP
Over the past two seasons with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, Cullen recorded 45 points — 16 goals and 29 assists — across 40 games, showcasing a blend of scoring and playmaking that caught the attention of NHL scouts.
His offensive output places him in the same conversation as recent Gophers standouts such as Jimmy Snuggerud, who tallied 50 points in 2022‑23, and Oliver Moore, who posted 33 points as a freshman in 2023‑24.
Projected Impact on the Gophers Frontline
Coach Ben Johnson and the Gophers’ management envision a potent frontline that could feature Brodie Ziemer, LJ Mooney and Austin Burnevik alongside Cullen, creating depth and versatility for the upcoming season.
If Cullen translates his NTDP success to the college ranks, analysts predict he could become the next superstar freshman for Minnesota men’s hockey, potentially rivaling the point production of Logan Cooley, who reached 60 points as a true freshman in 2022‑23.