The United States Hockey Hall of Fame announced that former Pittsburgh Penguins skaters Matt Cullen and Kevin Stevens would be part of the 2024 class.
Although they played with the Penguins decades apart, both were integral to the club’s success, with Stevens winning back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 1991 and 1992 and Cullen achieving the feat in 2016 and 2017.
Despite not ever playing together, both have roles with the Penguins today.
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Stevens has been a scout for the organization since 2005, taking some time off from 2012 to 2018, but is now a Special Assignment Scout. Meanwhile, Cullen retired with the Penguins in 2019, immediately earning a role as a Development Coach.
Here’s a look back at their careers.
Kevin Stevens (1987-1995, 2000-2002)
Born in Brockton, MA, Stevens played 874 NHL games, scoring 329 goals and 726 points with the Penguins, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins, and Philadelphia Flyers.
Initially drafted by the Kings in 1983, he came to Pittsburgh in 1987 and, by 1991, was a 50-goal scorer, netting a career-high 55 in 1992. Stevens’ best seasons came during the Penguins’ early 1990s dominance, when he scored 123 points in 1992, followed by 111 in 1993.
During his 15-year career, Stevens was a three-time All-Star and twice won the Stanley Cup. He finished with 106 playoff points in 103 postseason games.
Internationally, he represented the United States at the 1988 Olympic Games and made three World Championship appearances in 1987, 1990, and 1996, where he was team captain.
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As a Penguins’ Ring of Honor member, Stevens can now say he is a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.
Matt Cullen (2015-2017, 2018-2019)
Matt Cullen skated in the NHL for 21 years, scoring 266 goals and 731 points in 1,516 games. Born in Virginia, MN, he was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in 1996 and debuted in the 1997-98 season.
He dressed for eight teams, including two tours with the Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, and the Penguins. In his first stint with the Hurricanes, Cullen won the Stanley Cup in 2006.
A decade later, he joined the Penguins as a free agent and helped Pittsburgh win back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017.
Cullen was a two-time 20-goal scorer, collecting a career-high of 25 in 2005-06, the same season he finished the campaign with 49 points. Although he never reached 50 points in a single season, he did surpass 40 on seven occasions.
While wearing a U.S. jersey in international competitions, he played at the 1996 World Junior Championships and made four appearances at the World Championships in 1998, 1999, 2003, and 2004.
Still, thanks to Stanley Cup championships, he earned a spot in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame through longevity.
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