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Cullen Selected 10th Overall in 2026 NHL Entry Draft Friday
6/26/2026 8:30:00 PM | Men's Hockey
27th first-round pick in program history
BUFFALO, N.Y. - 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.
The final six rounds of the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Entry Draft are set to begin at 10 a.m. (CT) live on NHL Network and ESPN+.
The Maroon and Gold begin the season on the road as it travels to Houghton, Mich., to face former WCHA foe Michigan Tech Oct. 2-3. The home opener inside 3M Arena at Mariucci is set for Oct. 22-23 when the Gophers host rival North Dakota. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased HERE.
Minnesota Draft Notes
• At least one Gopher has been drafted in 52 of the last 53 NHL Entry Drafts dating back to 1974 with 2001 being the only exception. Minnesota's 27-consecutive drafts with a selection between 1974-2000 are an NCAA record, while it is currently on a 25-year streak.
• Cullen is the 10th player in program history to be selected in the top 10 and the first since Logan Cooley was picked third overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2022.
• Nashville has now selected eight Gophers in franchise history and marks the third-straight year that the Predators have picked someone from the Maroon and Gold following Jacob Rombach (2025) and Erik Pahlsson (2024).
• The Predators currently have three former Minnesota skaters on their roster with Erik Haula, Brady Skjei, and Matthew Wood having played the 2025-26 campaign in Smashville.
• Erik Johnson remains the highest draft pick in Minnesota history, going No. 1 overall in 2006, as one of 27 all-time first-round selections.
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.
The final six rounds of the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Entry Draft are set to begin at 10 a.m. (CT) live on NHL Network and ESPN+.
The Maroon and Gold begin the season on the road as it travels to Houghton, Mich., to face former WCHA foe Michigan Tech Oct. 2-3. The home opener inside 3M Arena at Mariucci is set for Oct. 22-23 when the Gophers host rival North Dakota. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased HERE.
Minnesota Draft Notes
• At least one Gopher has been drafted in 52 of the last 53 NHL Entry Drafts dating back to 1974 with 2001 being the only exception. Minnesota's 27-consecutive drafts with a selection between 1974-2000 are an NCAA record, while it is currently on a 25-year streak.
• Cullen is the 10th player in program history to be selected in the top 10 and the first since Logan Cooley was picked third overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2022.
• Nashville has now selected eight Gophers in franchise history and marks the third-straight year that the Predators have picked someone from the Maroon and Gold following Jacob Rombach (2025) and Erik Pahlsson (2024).
• The Predators currently have three former Minnesota skaters on their roster with Erik Haula, Brady Skjei, and Matthew Wood having played the 2025-26 campaign in Smashville.
• Erik Johnson remains the highest draft pick in Minnesota history, going No. 1 overall in 2006, as one of 27 all-time first-round selections.
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