Draft rankings

Cullen Potter Took a Chance That’s Paying Off

Cullen Potter is from a hockey family. His mother, Jenny, was a Team USA star player, which has helped him. He’s been playing hockey for a long time, but he didn’t start playing organized hockey immediately.  

“I didn’t play organized hockey until I was 10 or 11 years old,” Potter mentioned. “So, I’m told that I have been skating since I was one year old.”  

His progression has been good. He played with the U17 team with the NTDP and then instead of going back there, he chose Arizona State University.  

“A big reason was coming in a year early,” Potter revealed. “I wanted to play against these big guys in my draft year. Which I think relates more to the NHL. Just getting ready for the next level is the biggest thing for me. That’s where I want to end up in the long run.  

“I just felt like I was ready. The NTDP was great, and I learned a lot from there. Playing at the program is an honor. Playing for Team USA, supporting your country. I felt I was ready, so I moved on to the next level. I think it was a good decision, and I think it’s helping my draft year. I’m happy.”  

When a player chooses a college to attend. The curriculum is important but the hockey rink and all the amenities that come with it matter just as much. Mullett Arena is a big leg up for Arizona State University and that makes it a destination for a lot of players.  

“Mullett Arena is amazing.  It’s pretty much a brand-new facility. Things are the best they can be,” Potter praised.  “We have two sheets there so when a concert or something is going on, there’s always another sheet you can go out and practice on. That’s always nice. They have everything there that you need. I’m sure with all the updates it’s ahead of a lot of other colleges.”  

Potter has fast hands. You are born with that but then you have to harness that talent, and Potter has done just that.  

“Like everyone else I’ve worked on it my whole life. I like the stickhandling apparatus. Things that you can go under. I just work on my hands playing at a fast pace. It’s a big deal to move on to the next level. I’ve been working on my hands and speed at the same time,” Potter said.  

Those fast hands helped him pot an important shootout goal early this season in a big win over Michigan. Most players have more than one shootout move.  

“I switch them around. I just go down either side depending on the moment. You read the goalie, and what he’s doing. That’s what I saw so I just did the move, and I’ve practiced certain moves before. I felt comfortable doing it in a big situation like that and it worked out,” said Potter.  

Playing in different environments is good for a player. Like any other young man, it’s good to get outside.  

“I would go to the outdoor park. That’s a lot of stuff that kids don’t do. I’d just go and have fun and be creative. I think that helped my game a lot,” Potter remembered. “Part of growing up in Minnesota. They have all the outdoor rinks in the winter. All that stuff was really cool. I think it helped the creativity in my game a lot. Learning when to do stuff and when not to do stuff.”  

Potter’s mother is a 14-time medalist in Olympic competition and World Championships. It’s natural to think that some of that talent was passed on to her son.  

“I’ve seen some highlights. I was a little guy when she was still playing. I went to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. I honestly can’t remember anything from it. I was three years old,” Potter stated this made us all feel old. “I’ve some of her highlights like toe dragging, I kind of see some similarities when I see some of my goals. I saw that stuff growing up and it impacted me without realizing it.  

Size is always a conversation that comes up at the draft with certain players and it’s likely to be that way with Potter.  

“For the draft, a lot of people make that a big deal. I know it doesn’t affect my game. I’m 5’10”, 172 now. I’m not making up 5’10”, I am 5’10”,” Potter stated. “I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. Just look at Bedard. I know he’s special player. There are a lot of guys who can play at that size. Just different skill sets. I don’t think it’s a huge deal.”  

Potter has been playing at center for the Sun Devil squad.  

This season I played mostly at center. I played one shift on the wing. I feel more comfortable at center. Speed up the middle. I think I’m pretty good defensively as well. I think I help out the team that way,” Potter added. “I can play wing too. It’s not your choice where you are so I can play either. Wherever they put me.”  

Being on campus the majority of the time, Potter had some things to say about the food.  

“The food is great. There are athlete meals Monday through Wednesday. Also, every day at the rink, if we have practice, we have breakfast and lunch there,” Potter explained. “There is a place for the athletes to go and get free smoothies. They make it for you, it’s usually an orange dreamsicle.”  

As a true freshman, he’s been averaging almost 19 minutes of ice time.  

“I feel comfortable with my coach supporting me and believing in me. I don’t feel like it’s a weight on my shoulders. It’s a blessing to go out there and play the game you love,” Potter said.  

Potter has 13 points in his first 22 games. He only has six penalty minutes. He knows how to play this game.

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