He never thought he'd be closing in on 1,000 games played in the National Hockey League (a milestone that is recognized by the NHLPA) and he certainly didn't expect he'd ever be playing for his home team, but 13 years after launching his big-league career, Cullen, 33, has achieved both.
Needless to say, he's on cloud nine these days.
“When you start out, your goal is to make the team,” said the native of Virginia, Minnesota, who signed a three-year, $10.5-million contract, as an unrestricted free agent, with the Minnesota Wild on July 1. “And then it's all about taking the next step, improving your game and getting better each year.
Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher was thrilled to land the versatile forward, noting the team was immediately better with Cullen in the fold.
Cullen, who has 169 goals and 461 points in 880 career NHL games, isn't worried about the pressures of playing in Minnesota, a team that finished 13th overall in the Western Conference in 2009-10.
The centreman, who was part of the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, is embracing the opportunity to play a prominent role on the Wild.
Cullen isn't the only one excited about his new deal.
Cullen, who was selected 35th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, is also making a return to the Western Conference.
He played four and a half seasons with the Ducks before a trade sent him to the Florida Panthers during the 2002-03 campaign.
After two stints with the Hurricanes, along with the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators, Cullen will now get his second taste of life in the West.
Cullen's first order of business will be in introducing himself to his new teammates.
Cullen will also look to respond to a large number of messages he's received since he signed his new contract.
It won't be long before Cullen's thoughts turn to the 2010-11 season, a campaign he hopes will be his best ever.
You might even say he's Wild about the idea.