
A New Era for College Hockey
A year after NIL reforms, former CHL athletes now make up nearly 20 percent of Division I hockey players, reshaping team dynamics and NHL prospects
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Joey Cullen across Hockey.

A year after NIL reforms, former CHL athletes now make up nearly 20 percent of Division I hockey players, reshaping team dynamics and NHL prospects

Former NHL champion Matt Cullen now guides his sons — Wyatt, Brooks and Joey — through college hockey, blending family tradition with a strategic push to attract top talent amid shifting NCAA rules.

The U.S. Under‑18 Men’s Select Team fell short in the championship game of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, but the squad left a lasting impression with a display of cohesion and resilience. Coach Reid Cashman praised the players for their character, emphasizing a team‑first mentality that defined the tournament. Key performances from Gavin Burcar and Nash Roed highlighted the offense, while Ethan Sung and Joey Cullen’s late strikes secured bronze. The result marks a historic turnaround for USA Hockey’s development pipeline.

Brett Larson's arrival as the new Gophers hockey coach marks a pivotal moment as he seeks to integrate with the program’s tight‑knit alumni network, many of whom he played against in his past.

Eight USHL prospects helped Team USA claim silver at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, underscoring the league’s rising influence on international junior hockey and future NHL talent.

The United States defeated Slovakia 5-2 in the semifinals of the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, with Nash Roed scoring a hat trick and Gavin Burcar adding a goal and two assists. The victory sends the U.S. to the August 8 championship game, which will be televised live on the NHL Network.

The United States rolled past Germany 8‑1 in the preliminary round, with key performances from Trevor Shorter, Ethan Sung and Colin Grubb, setting up a semifinal clash against Slovakia.

Nine Minnesota-born players make up a third of the U.S. roster, highlighted by Joey Cullen’s historic debut and a tournament opening victory over Czechia.

The United States Under-18 Men’s Select Team secured a 4‑1 victory over Finland, extending their perfect record and setting up a final preliminary‑round clash with Germany tomorrow.

At just 16, Joey Cullen is already carving a niche in elite hockey, following in his father's championship footsteps while preparing to represent Team USA at the prestigious Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

The United States opened the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with a 6‑4 victory over Czechia, highlighted by Gavin Burcar’s three‑goal performance and strong goaltending from Kaeden Tate.

In just over a month, college hockey has seen a federal bill aimed at standardizing transfer rules, new NCAA officiating leadership, a flurry of athletic‑director changes, contract extensions, surprising retirements, and the highest‑valued agreement ever signed by a former collegian.

A legacy of NHL experience and collegiate success converges as the Cullen family announces its commitment to the University of Minnesota's hockey program, signaling a new era for the Gophers.

Sixteen‑year‑old forward Joey Cullen has pledged to the University of Minnesota’s Gophers, joining a dynasty that includes his father and brothers, and bringing a top‑ranked American talent to the program.

A wave of elite talent is reshaping the Minnesota Gophers men’s hockey roster for the coming years, as several of the nation’s most coveted prospects have formally pledged their futures to the university program.

Twenty‑five prospects with United States Hockey League experience will gather in St. Paul for a week‑long camp that will shape the roster for the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton.

USA Hockey reveals the roster for the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, highlighting nine players from Minnesota, 15 returnees from the 2025 Four Nations Tournament, and a schedule that includes preliminary games against Czechia, Finland and Germany, plus an exhibition versus Slovakia.

From July 23‑27, 24 USHL players will converge in Minnesota as USA Hockey narrows the pool for the upcoming Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton.

Thirteen Minnesotans have been invited to the Hlinka Gretzky Cup Selection Camp in St. Paul, where coaches and staff will shape a 23‑player roster to defend the 2025 title in Edmonton.

A preview of the top American talent set to make an impact as the 2026 recruiting cycle opens on August 1, highlighting key forwards, defensemen, goaltenders and the pathways that will define their development.
From forward phenoms to towering defensemen, the next wave of U.S. prospects is emerging, blending family legacies, record‑breaking seasons and international draft highlights.

The Flyers hold the 21st pick and are weighing several forward prospects, each bringing distinct attributes that could shape the club’s future.

The St. Louis Blues hold the 11th and 15th picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, targeting both defensemen and forwards. Wyatt Cullen, a winger from a three‑generation hockey family, is projected as a late first‑round prospect and has committed to the University of Minnesota.