Cullen without goal, but Hendricks lights the lamp big time!

The NHL preseason is now underway and I have a couple of quick notes on some former Husky Hockey players. The NHL player I will be keeping my eye on this season, Matt Cullen, was held without a goal in the teams first preseason game against St. Louis. Despite an embarrassing loss for the Wild, Glen Anderson (managing editor over at Wild.com) had this to say:

"One of tonight's bright spots has been the play of the second line: Gui, Havlat and Cullen. They nearly pop another (goal) in as Cullen drives hard to the net and slides one on goal. Bishop makes the save and tries to cover up, but Havlat pokes it in. Unfortunately, the refs are a little trigger happy with the whistle and blow the play dead, waving off the goal."

I think that the second line (which Cullen is centering) has some potential to be a serious threat and an awesome offensive weapon once they get some chemistry going.

In other news, former Husky hockey players Matt Hendricks and Andrew Gordon both saw ice time with the Washington Capitals in their preseason game against the Blue Jackets. The Capitals won an easy victory over the Blue Jackets 6-2 with Hendricks getting a hat trick. Katie Carrera over at the Washington Post probably said it best:

"It couldn't have been a better preseason debut for Matt Hendricks as the veteran forward on a professional try-out with Washington netted a hat trick in the Capitals' 6-2 rout of the Columbus Blue Jackets Wednesday night."

Additionally, Andrew Gordon, who was playing with Matt Hendricks, got an assist and led the Caps in hits with 4 out of the 13 credited to Washington. You can read more about that game at the Washington Post or over at the Capitals website. 

Former Husky Tyler Arnason also has had some ice time this NHL preseason with the Florida Panthers. Arnason and the Panthers played against Carolina and won 4-1 on Tuesday this week. Arnason did not score any of the Panthers four goals but was a +1 on the night and had 15:45 time on the ice. You can read more about that game here.

Glad to hear our St. Cloud State alumni playing so well in the NHL. If you hear any other news about one of our guys, please let me know!