Just two years removed from a Bantam AA state title,
Wyatt Cullen is drafted 10^th overall

In March of 2024 when he was celebrating a Bantam AA state title, Wyatt Cullen probably didn’t think that just two years later he’d be on a stage in Buffalo with country music star Luke Bryan and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

Yet, there he was Friday night when he  became the first Minnesotan drafted in the 2026 NHL Draft, chosen by the Nashville Predators with the 10^th overall pick.

Cullen, 17, hails from Moorhead where just two seasons ago he was on the AA Bantam team leading the Spuds to a state championship. That season he had 68 goals and 98 assists for 166 points in 60 games.

He never played high school hockey, opting for the U17 National Development Team in 2024-25 and then last season for the U18 team. He averaged over a point per game during his U18 season, with 45 points (16G, 29A) in 40 games, and was named to the 2026 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship Media All-Star Team after he recorded three goals and six assists in five games. Overall, Cullen recorded 76 points (22G, 54A) during his two years with the NTDP.

“It’s such a special feeling,” said Cullen after the selection. “To be drafted by a team that my dad played for is incredible. I’ve had a lot of growth the last couple of years and that’s helped me but also all the work I’ve put in behind the scenes that no one sees has helped too.”

He recently committed to the University of Minnesota where his dad, former NHLer Matt Cullen, was recently named Director of Player Development. Matt Cullen is a 3-time Stanley Cup winner and played four seasons with the Wild.

Cullen becomes the 10^th player from Minnesota to be chosen in the top 10 in the draft. He is the highest draft pick since Casey Mittelstadt was chosen 8^th overall in 2017. Matt Cullen was the 35th overall pick in the 1996 draft by Anaheim.

Minnesotans taken in Top 25 prior to 2026 Draft

(Source: Vintage MN Hockey)