Ray Cullen (1941-2021) Canadian ice Hockey Player

Ray Cullen (1941-2021) Canadian ice Hockey Player
Ray Cullen
Birth 20 Sep 1941
St. Catharines, Niagara Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada
Death 14 Mar 2021 (aged 79)
London, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada
Burial
Saint Peter’s Cemetery
London, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada
Professional ice Hockey Player

For six seasons (1965 to 1971), he played at the center position in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota North Stars and Vancouver Canucks.

Born Raymond Murray Cullen, he initially played for his native team the St. Catharines Teepees junior squad of the Ontario Hockey Association in 1958. Following brief stints with New York and Detroit, he was selected by the Minnesota North Stars during the NHL expansion of 1967.

He had the distinction of playing on Minnesota’s inaugural roster and produced a career-high 28 goals during the team’s first year of existence (1967-1968).

Cullen would be chosen by the Vancouver Canucks during the 1970 NHL expansion giving him the distinction of being a part of two different clubs during their inaugural year (1970-1971). In 313 career regular season games, he compiled 92 goals and 123 assists. After retiring, he operated an automobile dealership.

His older brothers Brian and Barry were also professional hockey players in the NHL.