The University of Minnesota men’s hockey team is building a strong future, adding its third new recruit in just eight days. On Monday, 16-year-old Wyatt Cullen, a skilled forward from Moorhead, announced on Instagram that he has committed to play for the Gophers.
Cullen follows two recent commitments: Lakeville North center Gunnar Conboy and goalie Carter Casey, formerly of Grand Rapids. All three players will bring youth, talent, and potential to coach Bob Motzko’s program.
Cullen is the latest in a well-known Minnesota hockey family. His father, Matt Cullen, had a long NHL career that spanned 21 seasons, including time with the Minnesota Wild. Matt also played at St. Cloud State and for Moorhead High School. Wyatt’s grandfather, Terry Cullen, once coached at Moorhead High as well.
Wyatt shared his excitement about joining the Gophers on Instagram, writing:
“I am proud and honored to announce my commitment to play Division 1 hockey at The University of Minnesota. I would like to thank God, my family, teammates, coaches, and everyone else who has helped me get to this point. #gogophs.”
At 5-foot-8 and 146 pounds, Cullen may be smaller than some of his peers, but his skill and speed set him apart. During the 2024–25 season, he played with the U.S. National Team Development Program’s Under-17 squad, scoring nine goals and providing 39 assists over 88 games.
Before joining the national program, Cullen had an outstanding season with Moorhead’s Bantam AA team in 2023–24. There, he racked up an impressive 68 goals and 98 assists in just 60 games—an average of 2.77 points per game.
Cullen isn’t the only hockey standout in his family. His older brother, Brooks Cullen, helped lead Moorhead to its first-ever Class 2A state championship in March. Brooks, now 18, has committed to play college hockey at Michigan State.
Just days before Wyatt’s commitment, the Gophers also received good news from another rising star. Gunnar Conboy, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound center from Lakeville North, announced that he, too, will be joining the Gophers. Conboy scored 24 goals and had 20 assists in 27 games during the 2024–25 season. He is expected to play in the USHL for the Green Bay Gamblers during the 2025–26 season—a key stepping stone before entering college hockey.
Rounding out the trio is goaltender Carter Casey, who committed to Minnesota last Monday. Casey, from Grand Rapids, adds depth in net to the Gophers’ future roster.
These recent commitments come as NCAA rules now allow high school juniors to begin making official visits starting August 1. The Gophers coaching staff has clearly been active and effective during this period, quickly securing top talent.
With three strong additions, including a four-star recruit like Wyatt Cullen, the future looks bright for the Minnesota men’s hockey program. These young players bring not only impressive stats but also a deep passion for the game—and for many, a strong connection to the state of Minnesota.
