John Cullen

John Cullen: NHL centre, cancer survivor, and Bill Masterton Trophy winner.

John Cullen is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played ten seasons in the NHL. He played college hockey for 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 signed with the Flint Spirits of the IHL for the 1987–88 season, leading the league in scoring and being named co-Rookie of the Year and MVP. His career was halted in 1997 when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He attempted a comeback in 1998 after an 18-month battle, for which he received the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, before retiring to serve as an assistant coach for a year with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He played in two NHL All-Star Games.

Quick Facts

Team: Winnipeg Jets

Lore & Background

Cullen was born in Puslinch, Ontario, on August 2, 1964, one of six children of Barry and Loretta Cullen. His father and uncles Brian and Ray all played in the NHL. He idolized his elder brother Terry, whose career ended due to a broken neck. Cullen received only two scholarship offers, choosing Boston University in 1983.

His mother Loretta died of skin cancer early in his freshman year; he dedicated every game to her memory. He was named ECAC Rookie of the Year in 1983–84, was a Hockey East All-Star in 1985, 1986, and 1987, and an NCAA East Second Team All-American in 1986. He graduated as BU's all-time scoring leader with 241 points. After going unclaimed in the 1984 NHL entry draft, he was selected by Buffalo in the 1986 supplemental draft but not offered a contract.

He signed with the Flint Spirits of the IHL for 1987–88, leading the league with 157 points and winning the James Gatschene Memorial Trophy and sharing the Gary F. Longman Memorial Trophy. He then signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He made his NHL debut in 1988–89, scoring 49 points in 79 games. In 1990–91, he scored 94 points in the Penguins' first 65 games and played in his first All-Star Game.

On March 1, 1991, he was traded to the Hartford Whalers along with Zarley Zalapski and Jeff Parker for Ron Francis, Ulf Samuelsson, and Grant Jennings. He finished the season with 110 points combined. He signed a four-year, $4 million deal with Hartford in 1991–92, scoring 77 points and representing the team at the 1992 All-Star Game. Midway through 1992–93, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a second-round pick.

A herniated disc in his neck threatened his career, but he returned with a neck brace. After the 1993–94 season, he returned to the Penguins for one season, then signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1995. With linemates Shawn Burr and Alexander Selivanov, he helped lead the Lightning to their first playoff appearance in 1995–96. In 1996–97, he was leading the team in scoring when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

He underwent chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and went into cardiac arrest during treatment. The cancer was gone by April 1998. He signed a one-year contract with the Lightning for 1998–99, scoring the game-winning goal in an exhibition game in Austria. He was awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

Reader's Guide

John Cullen played centre for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Tampa Bay Lightning. He never played for the Winnipeg Jets. He never won a Stanley Cup. His career was interrupted by non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and he made a comeback in 1998, winning the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.