Ray Cullen

Raymond Murray Cullen (September 20, 1941 – March 14, 2021) was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played six seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Minnesota North Stars and Vancouver Canucks. Cullen scored in the first North Stars home game and also in the first North Stars home playoff game. As of 2026, Cullen is one of just four players in the expansion era to score a goal in the first home game of an expansion team in the regular season and the playoffs.

Prior to joining the NHL, Cullen played several seasons in different minor leagues, being named to the First All-Star Team in his only seasons in both the EHL and CPHL, as well as being named the EHL rookie of the year. He also was the winner of the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as the rookie of the year in the American Hockey League in 1964–65. Ray's older brothers, Brian and Barry, also played in the NHL.

Born in St. Catharines, Ontario, Cullen was the owner of Ray Cullen Chevrolet Buick GMC dealership in London, Ontario. He died on March 14, 2021, at the age of 79.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1958–59 St. Catharines Teepees OHA 54 19 14 33 46 7 1 1 2 0 1959–60 St. Catharines Teepees OHA 48 48 29 77 60 17 15 17 32 20 1960–61 St. Catharines Teepees OHA 45 24 50 74 56 6 2 2 4 10 1961–62 St. Catherines Teepees OHA 50 36 42 78 63 6 4 2 6 0 1962–63 Knoxville Knights EHL 67 66 43 109 32 5 4 1 5 0 1963–64 St. Louis Braves CPHL 63 46 52 98 24 — — — — — 1964–65 Buffalo Bisons AHL 70 28 36 64 18 9 3 6 9 17 1965–66 New York Rangers NHL 8 1 3 4 0 — — — — — 1965–66 Baltimore Clippers AHL 63 27 46 73 40 — — — — — 1966–67 Detroit Red Wings NHL 27 8 8 16 8 — — — — — 1966–67 Pittsburgh Hornets AHL 28 15 14 29 8 — — — — — 1967–68 Minnesota North Stars NHL 67 28 25 53 18 14 2 6 8 2 1968–69 Minnesota North Stars NHL 67 26 38 64 44 — — — — — 1969–70 Minnesota North Stars NHL 74 17 28 45 8 6 1 4 5 0 1970–71 Vancouver Canucks NHL 70 12 21 33 42 — — — — — NHL totals 313 92 123 215 120 20 3 10 13 2

Awards

EHL Award Year(s) EHL First All-Star Team 1962–63 EHL Rookie of the Year 1962–63

CPHL Award Year(s) CPHL First All-Star Team 1963–64

AHL Award Year(s) Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award 1964–65