Cullen PORTER

Left Wing
5’9/168
Left
Arizona State University/NCAA

Related: Carter Bear

Cullen Porter is an elite skater, probably the best in this draft class at this point, who puts tons of pressure on his opponents off the rush where he is incredibly difficult to keep up with. Porter has a good shot and lots of skill with the puck, making him a dangerous player in 1-on-1 situations. His size won’t help him in the Draft process, measuring at 5-foot-10, and he can get pushed to the perimeter a bit in the offensive zone. However, his success with Arizona State U this year as a 17-year-old has shown that his motor is strong enough to compete against older opponents in the NCAA and that he can find some success pushing up the middle of the ice. In 35 Games for Arizona State U, Cullen Porter has 13 goals and 22 points. Potter may be the most singularly skilled player in the draft. Potter’s hands, vision, and particularly his creativity, are almost unmatched and his shot is also a legit weapon to complement his playmaking ability.
Keep in mind that he is having this kind of success as a freshman, if he grows much more, or develops a bit more of a direct offensive style, Porter could become a clear top-16 talent in this year’s draft.

Size/Strength Below Average
Skating Excellent
Shot/Scoring Good
Puckhandling Great
Physical Play Below Average
Offensive Play Below Average
Defensive Good
Hockey Sense Excellent
Competitiveness Excellent

Strengths

1. Potter is one of the best skaters in his draft class, with explosive acceleration, strong edgework, and agility. His skating allows him to create separation, navigate through traffic, and contribute effectively in all three zones.
2. Potter is known for his deceptive passing and shooting techniques, including saucer passes and screened shots. He executes plays at high speed without compromising precision.
3. He brings relentless energy and grit to every shift, excelling in puck battles and takeaways. He backchecks hard and forces turnovers, showcasing his commitment to a 200-foot game.

Areas of Improvement

1. Despite generating numerous scoring chances, Potter struggles with finishing. His conversion rate on Grade “A” chances is below average.
2. Potter’s performance can be inconsistent, particularly when his team is not thriving. Scouts have noted that his production doesn’t always match the chances he creates.
3. As a smaller player, Potter is still developing physically, which can limit his effectiveness in certain situations.

Scouting Report

Cullen Potter is a dynamic and versatile forward currently playing for Arizona State University in the NCAA. He stands out for his elite skating ability, explosive acceleration, and strong puck-handling skills. Scouts praise his ability to create chances in transition and his relentless motor, which makes him effective in all three zones. Despite his smaller stature, Potter competes hard and is known for his creativity in offensive plays, including deceptive passing and shooting techniques. However, his offensive efficiency has room for improvement, as he struggles with finishing and consistency. Potter may be the most singularly skilled player in the draft. His speed and acceleration are ridiculous. His edge work and balance are also both off the charts. Potter can stretch the neutral zone, lug the puck through all three zones, and cut back through traffic and pressure with complete ease. Potter’s hands, vision, and particularly his creativity, are almost unmatched. He hasn’t been able to find the back of the net very frequently so far, but Potter’s wrister, snapshot, and one-timer are also all legitimate weapons. he major concern is his size. Potter is diminutive, coming in at only about 5-9. However, he has a strong defensive motor, definitely more than he gets credit for. Potter also plays with enough tenacity, heart, and energy to leave you feeling like he could improve even further in this area.
Known for his speed, tenacity, and ability to contribute in all three zones, Brandon Hagel’s game mirrors Potter’s relentless motor and defensive awareness. Both players excel in creating chaos on the forecheck and are valuable penalty killers. The fact that Cullen Potter looks as good as he does as the youngest player in college hockey makes him a potential top-six forward. His success in the NCAA this year as a 17-year-old has shown that his motor is strong enough to compete against older opponents and that he can find some success pushing up the middle of the ice. If he grows much more, or develops a bit more of a direct offensive style, Porter could become a clear top-16 talent in this year’s draft.

Skill: Dynamic forward with Elite skating, great offensive creativity, and defensive awareness

NHL Comparable: Brandon Hagel

NHL Potential: Versatile Middle six forward

Season	Team	League	GP	G	PTS
2023-24	US National U17 Team	NTDP	54	17	46
	USNTDP Juniors	USHL	35	9	22
	USA U17	WHC-17	7	1	8
2024-25	Arizona State Univ.	NCAA	35	13	22