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Pittsburgh Penguins’ center Matt Cullen bids farewell to NHL

By Ryan Brennan

NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 11: Matt Cullen #7 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with the Stanley Cup trophy after they defeated the Nashville Predators 2-0 in Game Six of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 11: Matt Cullen #7 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with the Stanley Cup trophy after they defeated the Nashville Predators 2-0 in Game Six of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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Matt Cullen was the oldest active player in the NHL before announcing his retirement with 21 years under his belt, three of those with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Matt Cullen never made superstar status in the NHL, but respect around the league was never an issue with the 42-year-old. Playing for seven other teams outside of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Cullen finished with 266 goals and 465 assists in 1,516 career games.

Although Cullen only spent three of his years in Pittsburgh, he was a part of the back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2017. He spent the 2018 season with the Minnesota Wild before returning to the Pittsburgh Penguins last season for his final rodeo in the NHL.

His last game was against the New York Islanders when the Penguins got swept in the opening round of the playoffs. He had three shots on goal that series, but failed to earn a point in any of the four games. His last goal came on March 31st against the Carolina Hurricanes — one of his former teams — where he finished with one goal and one assist in the 3-1 victory for Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh Penguins helped Matt Cullen make the announcement on July 10th via the team’s official Twitter account:

The video is a wonderful tribute to his contributions and highlights during his 21-year career. Here’s a brief rundown of that career:

Drafted 35th overall (2nd round) by Anaheim Mighty Ducks in 1996

1991-2002 (ANA): 65 goals, 135 assists, 427 games

2002-2004 (FLA): 12 goals, 19 assists, 86 games

2005-2006 (CAR): 25 goals, 24 assists, 78 games — STANLEY CUP

2006-2007 (NYR): 16 goals, 25 assists, 80 games

2007-2009 (CAR): 47 goals, 85 assists, 188 games

2009-2010 (OTT): 4 goals, 4 assists, 21 games

2010-2013 (MIN): 33 goals, 68 assists, 193 games

2013-2015 (NSH): 17 goals, 47 assists, 139 games

2015-2017 (PIT): 29 goals, 34 assists, 154 games — STANLEY CUP x2

2017-2018 (MIN): 11 goals, 11 assists, 79 games

2018-2019 (PIT): 7 goals, 13 assists, 71 games

His presence on the ice, as well as in the locker room, is something that has made him a player that any team could use. There were three different instances where he left a team, to eventually re-sign with them later on. That list includes the Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota Wild and Carolina Hurricanes.

This shows that he’s not just a guy that teams want to have, he’s a guy that teams don’t want to lose — and will take him back the second they get a chance. I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that two of those teams that did so were the teams he won championships with.

Matt Cullen will be missed in the NHL, but this isn’t a time to mourn. Rather, a time to celebrate him on all he has done throughout his career. Cullen has earned this moment, and we hope he enjoys it.

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What was your favorite memory of Matt Cullen’s time with the Pittsburgh Penguins? Leave your comments below!

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