Cullen Speaks!

Cullen Speaks!
By Meredith Martini, Correspondent

Valentine's Day, 1997. The mission? Find LCS hero John Cullen.
First assignment: find out where the Tampa Bay Lightning are staying in the Washington area. The location is a secret known only to the Lightning and Capitals... and every autograph hound in Maryland. OK, so it wasn't that difficult to find the team.
Second assignment: brave the terrible weather February hath wrought, as several inches of snow and slush overnight have ice-coated the Maryland interstates during rush hour and slowed traffic to a crawl... except that later in the morning the temperature went over freezing and much of the mess melted. OK, the drive wasn't that bad either.
Third assignment: having arrived safely at the hotel, it's time to find our hero. Your reporter waits in the hotel lobby, searching high and low for Cullen and finding only a somewhat dazed Rob Zamuner. Right team, wrong guy. Unlike the rest of the Lightning, apparently our hero does not eat breakfast: there is no sign of Cullen.
The team bus arrives at the hotel and your reporter decides to wait by the bus with the precious few autograph seekers in attendance who wait for the wonderful moment when our hero will sign their cards. Most of the team leaves the building and boards the bus (and most of them do sign autographs; after all, these are hockey players). Still no sign of Cullen.
Bill Houlder discovers there is still snow remaining in front of the hotel and begins bombarding teammates and fans alike with slushy snowballs. Cullen finally emerges from the hotel just in time for Houlder to land a ball of slush on Cullen's shoes. Cullen glares at Houlder but it doesn't do any good as Houlder continues throwing snowballs.
Your reporter waits for Cullen to appease those wanting his autograph, then approaches our hero, inquiring if he is familiar with LCS. He isn't. The reporter explains that he is the hero of millions from eight to eighty who wish to hear his words. More snowballs fly by as Houlder sights more people deserving of a snow shower. Cullen agrees to share some thoughts after the morning skate.

John Cullen Awaits the Team Bus

Next assignment: cool heels in the USAir Arena parking lot - literally, it hasn't been plowed. The only entertainment is heckling Calle Johansson - he's 30 today, although Phil Housley maintains Calle is merely 29 for a second time. Finally the Lightning complete their morning skate and return to their bus, giving the reporter just enough time to speak with Cullen.
LCS: You're having a very good year this season. What do you think is different this year that's really improved your play?
Cullen: Just working hard, personally I don't think I'm having that great a year, but I'm just working hard and trying to do the best I can and help the team win.
LCS: What do you think of the new building in Tampa?
Cullen: It's beautiful, it's a beautiful rink, the fans really like it, it's great to play in. Our record's not too good there right now but we're working hard at it.
LCS: What's your best memory from your time with the Penguins?
Cullen: Best memory was probably my first game, first NHL game, I'm the type of guy they said would never make it and I had four great years and had a lot of fun, met a lot of great guys.
LCS: I know the first you heard about LCS was when I told you this morning. How does it feel to be the hero of a worldwide publication?
Cullen: [Laughing] Geez, it kinda makes me feel pretty good what you said to me this morning, and LCS, I thank them for treating me so well.
LCS: Our other hero at LCS is Badaboum, the former mascot of the Quebec Nordiques. Do you have any idea where he might be?
Cullen: Oh really? Badaboum, I'm not quite sure where he is, I really don't keep track of former mascots around the league.
LCS: You wouldn't happen to have any idea where our Toronto correspondent went would you?
Cullen: [Thinks] Uh, no.
LCS: Do you have anything you'd like to say to the LCS audience?
Cullen: Just thanks, you say they treat me well and I just want to thank them.
LCS: Do you have any ideas on how we could continue our quest for world domination?
Cullen: Have reporters like you.
Aw, shucks. Unfortunately Cullen had to leave with the team, but mission accomplished!