UMaine’s Cullen signs 2-year contract with NHL’s Coyotes

By his own admission, it has been a “quick couple of days” for University of Maine senior defenseman David Cullen.

Cullen, who helped lead the Black Bears to the NCAA men’s hockey championship Saturday, has signed a contract with the National Hockey League’s Phoenix Coyotes.

It is a two-year, two-way contract that included a signing bonus in the vicinity of $400,000.

“Everything has happened pretty quickly. I didn’t expect things to happen this quickly. But I’m excited and looking forward to it,” said the 22-year-old Cullen, who will stay at Maine through graduation.

Two of Cullen’s Black Bear teammates, left wing Marcus Gustafsson and center Bobby Stewart, left Thursday morning to join the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League. They will have a three-game tryout with the Crunch this weekend.

Stewart and Gustafsson scored the overtime game-winners against Boston College and New Hampshire, respectively, in the Frozen Four in Anaheim. Gustafsson wound up with 13 goals and 15 assists in 41 games this season while Stewart finished with 8 & 5 in 31 games.

Cullen, who was chosen to the all-tournament teams at the NCAA East Regional and the Frozen Four, racked up 11 goals and 33 assists in 41 games and was plus-36. He played approximately 30 minutes per game during the post-season and was named a first team East All-American.

Cullen concluded his 146-game career with 28 goals and 89 assists for 117 points, placing him 28th on the school’s all-time scoring list.

“We’re ecstatic to add David to our mix here,” said Phoenix assistant general manager Taylor Burke. “We obviously had a chance to see him perform on the grandest of stages, the national championship game, and he really picked up his game.” Everyone in the organization saw him and felt comfortable with him.

“He showed us he’s the type of player who keeps getting better and he brings his best at the biggest times,” added Burke.

Cullen, a 6-foot-2, 209-pounder from St. Catherines, Ontario, said he needs to improve all aspects of his game in preparation for the Coyotes’ training camp next fall.

“I definitely have to work on my defensive game. That’s been the knock on me throughout the years,” said Cullen. “Hopefully, they’ll be patient and willing to work with me on it.”

Burke said they like his style of play.

“He brings consistent offense, good size, and he has been a leader there,” said Burke. “At this level, sometimes a player’s role changes. But he’s a smart player. He’ll be able to adapt his game to suit a new level.”

Cullen said he may join the Coyotes after graduation if they are still alive in the playoffs “just to get my feet wet” and meet the players.

There are three former Bears there who should help him make the adjustment: defenseman Keith Carney, center Bob Corkum, and assistant coach John Tortorella.