ASU’s Cullen Potter Makes History by Being Drafted by Flames

Throughout the season, Potter found himself supported by the overall group in Tempe. As one of the youngest players in the NCAA, it could’ve been easy for Potter to come into ASU and lose his confidence. However, he credits the coaching staff for helping him retain and grow that confidence throughout his successful season.

“Having the staff have confidence in me, coming in a year early, being able to trust the staff and them trust me, I think it’s been huge,” Potter said. “Them taking a chance on me, believing in me, I think it paid off for me and them too. I had a great year and can’t wait to go back next year.”

The connection between the players and staff at ASU is impressive. You could see the strong culture the young hockey program has built over the past decade, even at the draft, as head coach Greg Powers accompanied Potter and fellow Sun Devil Ben Kevan to the event.

Powers was one of the first people Potter mentioned after being drafted by the Flames, mentioning how grateful and lucky he is to have the ASU head coach in his life. He credits Powers with helping him mature to the point where he was selected in the first round of the NHL Draft.

“He helped me grow up and mature, especially being in college,” Potter said. “Some of those guys are 24-25 years old, and I’m 17. Talking with him and having a relationship with him has just really helped me grow as a person and a human being.”

Arizona has produced some great hockey players as of late. Doan, Tage Thompson, and Auston Matthews have all become everyday players in the NHL despite being from a state that isn’t well-known for hockey. Joey Daccord has become a product of Arizona as well after becoming the first Sun Devil drafted to the NHL in 2015. Potter has gotten to meet them all and learn from them thanks to the close-knit bond that hockey players from the state have formed.

“It’s really cool to see some of those players like Doaner skate at ASU in the summers. I got to meet them last summer and learn from them a little bit. Matthews and Thompson, they’re skating there too. So being on the ice with them at the same time was a really cool experience.”

Hockey in Arizona has taken a beating in the past year. The Coyotes moved to Salt Lake City in April, the Tucson Roadrunners seem to be moving to Reno in a couple of years, and it’s been hard for youth programs to survive without the funding from the NHL. However, Potter still sees Arizona as a hockey market and one that is still growing despite the challenges it’s faced in recent history.

“I think it’s definitely growing,” Potter said. “There are talks of other schools in California starting D1, so I think it’s great for the sport. Growing up, players like Matthews coming from Arizona and stuff like that, I think it’s great.”

A Dream Come True

Like most kids who played hockey, Potter grew up dreaming of being drafted into the NHL. However, it wasn’t easy. Potter worked hard ever since he started playing the sport, and finally, on Friday, it all paid off. 

“It’s always been a long journey ever since I was a kid,” Potter said. “I just put in a lot of work. It’s just the beginning of this journey now. I’m super happy and speechless.”

Potter will be returning to ASU for his sophomore season. His goal is to work on becoming more of a two-way player while also adding more muscle in order to compete against NHLers. ASU has done a good job with players like Daccord, Doan, and Brinson Pasichnuk in preparing them for life in the NHL. There’s no doubt that’ll change with Potter.

“I want to use my speed effectively and in both zones, defensively and offensively,” Potter said. “I want to put on some more muscle and stuff too to get stronger while I’m playing in the NHL someday. Being able to go against those guys that are (6-foot-3 or 6-foot-4), and they’re super strong too. I got to get stronger. I think those are the two main things I’m focused on.”

The newest Flame will most likely take another step forward next season, like most young prospects do in their second year in college. Especially as ASU keeps stockpiling more explosive forwards to their roster. His incredible speed and hands give him an edge that many don’t have in the NCAA, which will help him and ASU as they continue to grow together.

ASU has a motto called “Be The Tradition.” It means to build a new legacy for yourself and your team while creating a foundation for future success. Many before Potter have helped build ASU into a strong hockey program while making it a normality for Sun Devils to make and thrive in the NHL. Potter has rewritten the standard as he’s shown that players from ASU can be drafted as high as the first round, embodying ASU’s famous motto along the way.

For Potter, the road was hard. The odds were stacked against him. However, he did it and made Sun Devil history while at it. For him, the achievement of being drafted into the NHL can be summed up in four words. It was the first four words he told the media after he got drafted: A dream come true.