PHOENIX (AZFamily) — An Arizona State freshman made school history by becoming the first Sun Devil to be drafted in the first round of the NHL Draft.
ASU forward Cullen Potter was drafted 32nd overall to the Calgary Flames during this year’s draft — the highest pick in Sun Devil history.
In his freshman season with the Sun Devils, Potter recorded 22 points, 13 goals and nine assists throughout 25 games. He was only 17 years old during his debut season and the second youngest player in college hockey.
Potter is slated to return to ASU for his sophomore season, but could get called up to the minors or straight to the NHL if the Flames see fit.
Potter has seen great success on the ice, even in junior hockey. In 2023-24, he skated in 54 games for the U-17 National Team, racking up 17 goals and 29 assists for a total of 46 points.
The Potter family genes run deep in the ice! His mother, Jenny, was a four-time Team USA Olympian and a 1998 gold medalist in ice hockey. She is one of the most decorated players in women’s ice hockey history and was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Museum.
ASU has now had a Sun Devil go in the first round in five professional sports leagues. Potter joins his fellow first-round picks Charley Taylor (NFL), Joe Caldwell (NBA), Rick Monday (MLB) and Kym Hampton (WNBA).
The Flames finished 41-27 last season but missed out on the playoffs.
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