Cullen, a native of Hamburg, New York played for the St. Francis Prep team and after his sophomore year of high school, moved on to Junior Hockey where he was Goaltender of the Year of the Empire Junior Hockey League (EJHL) as well as earning 1st Team All-Star Honors with Maksymum Hockey Club. He was then invited to St. Cloud State for the Annual Select 17 Festival featuring the Top 200 Prospects in the USA and went on to play for the USA Under-18 Select Team, where he represented his country at the 2008 World Championship Ivan Hlinka Tournament in the Czech Republic.
After playing for Team USA, Cullen went on to play four years in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) which included stops in Niagara, Kingston, Sarnia and Windsor. He played for former NHL’ers such as Doug Gilmore, DJ Smith and Bob Boughner. During his final two seasons with the Windsor Spitfires, Cullen was invited to the Buffalo Sabres 2011 Development Camp and also signed a Professional Tryout 
(PTO) with the Los Angeles Kings, joining their ECHL affiliate in 2012. After his 4th knee surgery, Cullen finally hung up the skates to begin his coaching career.
(PTO) with the Los Angeles Kings, joining their ECHL affiliate in 2012. After his 4th knee surgery, Cullen finally hung up the skates to begin his coaching career.Cullen joined the staff of the SUNY-Fredonia Men’s Hockey Team for the 2013-2014 season and has spent the past four seasons as their Goaltender Coach and Video Coach. For the 2017-2018 season John accepted his first junior coaching position for the Niagara PowerHawks in the NA3HL as an Assistant and Goaltending Coach. John is also owner and Head Instructor for Big Game Goaltending and hosts camps for youth to college players. Look for Big Game Goaltending camps coming to the Buffalo area soon!
Outside of being a hockey coach John hosts own sports radio talk show called The Good, The Bad, The Cully and commentates college hockey games. For the 2015-2016 season John won the prestigious IBS 
Best Collegiate Hockey Play by Play Announcer Award.
Best Collegiate Hockey Play by Play Announcer Award.John is slated to receive his Bachelors degree in communications with a focus in journalism and minor in athletic coaching January 2018. After receiving his bachelors degree John plans to attend graduate school to receive his Masters in Kinesiology.
Mark Zarbo Hockey is very happy to have John join the staff as he brings alot of experience and energy to his coaching that players love.
To listen to John’s radio show click on the left side bar link Cully’s Corner.
Contact John
Email: JCullen@Fredonia.edu
Phone: (716) 697-9660