The U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18s opened this two-game scouting showcase with a 4-2 victory over Team CHL at the Saddledome.
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Wyatt Cullen’s dad belongs to one of the most exclusive clubs in NHL history.
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Matt is among the two-dozen dudes to suit up for 1,500 games on the biggest stage. To put that in perspective, there have been nearly as many goalie goals.
So when Wyatt is looking for on-ice advice, he couldn’t ask for a better resource. His famous father is also a three-time Stanley Cup champ.
“Definitely try to be like him, look up to him,” Wyatt said after a standout performance Tuesday in the opener of the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge, a 4-2 victory for the American side. “Just the way he made it there, he worked hard. He worked on his skating a lot. He wasn’t the best skater, for sure. And I’m not the best skater right now, and he’s given me a lot of tips on that.
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“I’m just working to be like him every day.”
It certainly looked Tuesday like Wyatt is poised to eventually follow his father to ‘The Show.’
The CHL USA Prospects Challenge is considered one of the marquee events on the scouting circuit, a serious statement opportunity for potential picks in the upcoming NHL Draft.
Wyatt, who sprouted three inches in a summer growth spurt and only turned 17 in September, picked up a goal and assist to pace the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18s to an upset of Team CHL. This left-winger, already committed to the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, also plunked a post.
There were close to 300 big-league scouts in the building, and many were likely talking about Matt’s boy as they packed up for Lethbridge, where this two-game series wraps Wednesday. We’re guessing Wyatt’s current C rating from NHL Central Scouting — projecting him in the range of the fourth or fifth round — won’t stick.
On the opening strike, he stole a puck in the neutral zone and beelined toward the net. Although he was tripped up before he could unload the shot, his linemates handled the rest, with Mikey Berchild sliding a pass to Dayne Beuker for a gimme finish.
Cullen notched the would-be winner on a third-period power-play, a blocker-side sizzler from the slot.
“That was huge, for sure, a really cool experience for me scoring a goal like that in a big game,” he beamed. “So yeah, it was pretty sick.
“I try not to focus too much on the scouts, just try to play my game and let my skill come out. I thought I played pretty well tonight, but can be better for sure. I look forward to the game tomorrow.”
Here are five other players who made a positive impression Tuesday at the Saddledome …
Chase Reid, Team CHL — This right-shot rearguard has been rising in the rankings and, in spite of one costly turnover, this performance won’t hurt. The Soo Greyhounds standout scored on a wicked one-timer — a stick tap goes to Caleb Malhotra, another guy with big-league bloodlines, who sold the fake and provided a superb setup — and then earned some oohs and ahhs with an end-to-end rush on a third-period power-play.
Brady Knowling, Team USA — Already a pro-sized puck-stopper at 6-foot-5 and 202 pounds, Knowling racked up 42 saves in the visiting crease. That included a couple of dandy stops on Adam Novotny in the late stages. He flashed his left pad to rob the Czech forward on a rebound and stymied him again after Team CHL sent out an extra attacker.
Mathis Preston, Team CHL — There was a snippet in this second period when this Spokane Chiefs speedster darted through the neutral zone, hoping for a stretch pass. While the puck never arrived, everyone in the rink must have been thinking the same thing — ‘Whoa, that kid is fast!’ Preston also popped on the scoresheet. The right-winger scored on a wrister through traffic and added an apple.
Xavier Villeneuve, Team CHL — One of five A-rated prospect on Team CHL’s blue-line, this undersized defenceman made an immediate impression by throwing a heavy hit after losing his stick on his first shift. He could have had a couple of assists after sweet feeds to Ethan Belchetz and Ryan Roobroeck, but the big men weren’t able to convert on those opportunities.
Casey Mutryn, Team USA — The American captain never missed an opportunity to finish a check, none bigger than when he rocked Novotny. Based on this way-too-small sample size, this feisty winger will eventually work and will his way to the highest level. His motor doesn’t seem to have an off switch.
wgilbertson@postmedia.com
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