John Cullen

Lore & Background

Cullen was born in Puslinch, Ontario, on August 2, 1964. He played college hockey at Boston University, where he became the school's all-time leading scorer. After being selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1986 NHL supplemental draft but not offered a contract, he played for the Flint Spirits of the IHL, where he was co-Rookie of the Year and MVP. His NHL career included two All-Star Game appearances. In 1997 he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma; after an 18-month battle he attempted a comeback and was awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. He later served as an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning for one year.

In Their Own Story

The arena is humming, the third period is winding down, and the Flyers are up by one. The opposing captain, a quick-witted winger, is skating the neutral zone with the puck, looking for a breakaway. He sees the blue line ahead and picks up his speed. And then he sees Cullen. The defenseman is not rushing. He is not even really moving yet. He just… arrives. The hit is not flashy. There is no spray of ice, no slow-motion replay-worthy spin. It is simply a full-speed, shoulder-to-chest contact that lifts the winger's skates off the ice and sends him tumbling into the boards. The puck pops loose. Cullen is already turning, already skating away, already looking up the ice for a teammate. He does not look back. He never does. The crowd is on its feet, but Cullen is already in the next play, because that is what he does. That is all he has ever done.

Reader's Guide

John Cullen was a centre, not a defenseman. He never played for the Philadelphia Flyers, and his jersey number is not retired by any team. He was not a member of any Flyers Stanley Cup team, and he has not been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Did You Know?

• Cullen led the IHL in scoring with 157 points in 1987–88.
• He scored 110 points in the 1990–91 season split between the Penguins and Whalers.
• Cullen was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 1997 and underwent a bone marrow transplant.
• He won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his comeback from cancer.