Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
University of Minnesota freshman Wyatt Cullen heard his name called Friday in the first round of the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Entry Draft at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. He became the 27th first-round pick for the Golden Gophers when he was taken 10th overall by the Nashville Predators and is the 249th all-time selection, the most of any NCAA hockey program.
A native of Moorhead, Minn., Cullen built his reputation over two standout seasons with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program from 2024-26, appearing in 89 games between the U17 and U18 squads. During the 2025-26 campaign, he ranked seventh in scoring with 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists) in 34 contests, while averaging a team-best 1.00 points per game, highlighted by a nine-game point streak and points in 16 of his final 18 appearances.
On the international stage, Cullen further elevated his stock after earning recognition as one of Team USA's three best players at the 2026 IIHF U18 Men's World Championship in Slovakia. The talented forward led the Americans with nine points in five games, recording at least one point in every outing, including a Player of the Game performance against Germany after scoring twice and adding an assist in preliminary-round action.
Hockey runs deep in the Cullen family as Wyatt is the son of former NHL veteran and three-time Stanley Cup champion, Matt Cullen, who played 1,516 career NHL games, including two seasons in Nashville. Matt now serves as Director of Player Development for the Gophers. Wyatt and his older brother, Brooks, joined the Gophers together as freshmen entering 2026-27.
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University of Minnesota freshman Wyatt Cullen heard his name called Friday in the first round of the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Entry Draft at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. He became the 27th first-round pick for the Golden Gophers when he was taken 10th overall by the Nashville Predators and is the 249th all-time selection, the most of any NCAA hockey program.
A native of Moorhead, Minn., Cullen built his reputation over two standout seasons with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program from 2024-26, appearing in 89 games between the U17 and U18 squads. During the 2025-26 campaign, he ranked seventh in scoring with 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists) in 34 contests, while averaging a team-best 1.00 points per game, highlighted by a nine-game point streak and points in 16 of his final 18 appearances.
On the international stage, Cullen further elevated his stock after earning recognition as one of Team USA's three best players at the 2026 IIHF U18 Men's World Championship in Slovakia. The talented forward led the Americans with nine points in five games, recording at least one point in every outing, including a Player of the Game performance against Germany after scoring twice and adding an assist in preliminary-round action.
Hockey runs deep in the Cullen family as Wyatt is the son of former NHL veteran and three-time Stanley Cup champion, Matt Cullen, who played 1,516 career NHL games, including two seasons in Nashville. Matt now serves as Director of Player Development for the Gophers. Wyatt and his older brother, Brooks, joined the Gophers together as freshmen entering 2026-27.
Sign up for daily email updates from Gopher Athletics! Go to gophersports.com/GopherDaily to sign up.
