The WCHA has always been a breeding ground for hockey’s “late bloomers,” the 20-something guys who were ignored in the NHL draft who suddenly found their career blossoming through hard work, a late growth spurt, and careful coaching. Bowling Green defenseman Will Cullen is just such a player.

If you check his Elite Prospect bio, you’ll see a half-dozen stops through midget, prep and junior before landing at Bowling Green at the age of 21. He was a freshman, and because of academic gaps during junior days in Ontario, he was ruled ineligible by the NCAA. Just when he was ready to flourish, he was banned from the rink.

“I couldn’t practice the whole first semester,” said Cullen, prepping this week for a Saturday exhibition game against Team USA’s U-18 squad. “I was definitely frustrated. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody, not being able to play hockey for a full year.”

Instead of sulking, Cullen treated campus life as the multi-faceted opportunity for which it is intended: he hit the books; made friends with classmates outside the hockey bubble, and attacked the weight room. 

“When I came to BG, my body-mass index was like 23 percent,” he said. “After that year it was down to nine percent. It helped me on the ice for sure.”

In January 2018, Cullen finally returned to the ice and discovered the simple pleasure of merely practicing. 

“I just wanted to get on the ice,” said a grateful Cullen. “I probably worked hardest of anybody in practice.”

Fast forward to the cusp of the 2020-21 season, Cullen’s third season with the Falcons. He has established himself as a puck rushing force in the WCHA. 

“Will is an elite offensive weapon,” said assistant coach and power play maestro Maco Balkevic. 

“He can break out the puck by himself, and has the ability to beat people one-on-one all over the ice,” said head coach Ty Eigner, though he admitted to shaking his head when it comes to Cullen. “He doesn’t NEED to always beat people one-on-one.”

Hearing his coach’s comment elicited a chuckle from the junior star. 

“You’ve got to find that balance, when to go, when not to go,” Cullen said. “That’s one thing I most love about my coaches — they’re telling me when I can get up and join the rush. That’s what I want to be, the fourth forward, creating chances, being a pest around the other team’s net, trying to find my forwards and make a play.”

Cullen’s seven goals and 16 points from the blue line would have earned him plenty of notoriety last season had he not been on the same team with All-American Alec Rauhauser, who rang up 11 goals and 35 points at the same position. But the superstar is gone, leaving both large skates and a bucketload of playing minutes to fill, starting Saturday.

“Rauhauser is definitely a big shadow,” said Cullen of his former role model. “You can’t compare that guy to anybody.” 

The departed superstar is the only man missing from the Falcons’ deadly power play, the unit that led the nation with 45 goals last year. That absence spells opportunity for Cullen. 

“There’s a lot of minutes to be had for all our D; I’ll definitely log a lot. The only person we’re replacing is Alec. That’s a special role.”

Rauhauser’s absence is one of the major WCHA storylines entering this season, and Cullen makes a point to avoid his long shadow: “You can’t be Alec Rauhauser, you’ve got to do your own thing.” 

And for those watching Cullen, that’s a very special thing, a 200-foot player who not only flies down the ice on the rush, but uses his robust six-foot frame to leave lasting impressions on unsuspecting enemies. 

“I definitely like to play physical,” said Cullen, who amassed 53 penalty minutes last season. “It makes them think twice; it can change the momentum of the game.”

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Cullen seized the opportunity to polish up another part of his on-ice repertoire. 

“My shot hasn’t always been the best part of my game,” said Cullen. “I worked on it a lot during the quarantine this summer . . . it’s only gotten better.”

On Saturday, Cullen will be showcasing his combined talents at USA Hockey Arena, home of the National Team Development Program, some of the most gifted hockey teens alive. They are all on the fast track — each Red, White and Blue skater is welcome to step into any Division I program in America. None of these young phenoms, however, had to pay the kind of dues that Cullen did, a guy who’s honed every facet of his game to become the impact player he is today. None of this is lost on coach Ty Eigner, the man who recruited Cullen five years ago.

“We took a calculated risk when we committed to Will,” said Eigner. “He has made huge gains in school, in the weight room, and on the ice. Will has matured as much as any kid we have had here.” 

The latest chapter of Will Cullen’s journey will be on display Saturday night.

Tim Rappleye is the author of two books: Jack Parker's Wiseguys and Hobey Baker, Upon Further Review. You can find him on Twitter.