John Cullen Award
Encyclopedia
The John Cullen Award was awarded annually by the International Hockey League to the player judged to contribute the most to his team, while overcoming adversity, including injury, illness, and other setbacks. The award was originally named the Comeback Player of the Year Award until 1999, when it was renamed after John Cullen
, who overcame Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
.
John Cullen
John Cullen is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning. He was a standout player for Boston University and is the school's all-time leading scorer...
, who overcame Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
The non-Hodgkin lymphomas are a diverse group of blood cancers that include any kind of lymphoma except Hodgkin's lymphomas. Types of NHL vary significantly in their severity, from indolent to very aggressive....
.
Winners
| Comeback Player of the Year Award | ||
|---|---|---|
| Season | Player | Team |
| 1996–97 | Kevin Smyth Kevin Smyth Kevin Smyth is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 58 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Hartford Whalers. He spent parts of three seasons with the Hartford Whalers in the mid-90s... |
Orlando Solar Bears |
| 1997–98 | Mike Tomlak Mike Tomlak Michael Richard Tomlak is a former professional ice hockey centre who played four seasons for the Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League.... |
Milwaukee Admirals |
| John Cullen Award | ||
| Season | Player | Team |
| 1998–99 | Jeff Christian Jeff Christian Jeff Christian is a retired Canadian ice hockey Left Winger. He played 18 games in the National Hockey League for the New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Phoenix Coyotes.-Playing career:... |
Houston Aeros |
| 1999–00 | Steve Larouche Steve Larouche Steve Larouche is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Larouche played two seasons in the National Hockey League split between the Ottawa Senators, New York Rangers, and Los Angeles Kings from 1994–1996... |
Chicago Wolves |
| 2000–01 | Rusty Fitzgerald Rusty Fitzgerald Russell John Fitzgerald is a former professional ice hockey center. He was drafted in the second round, 38th overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft.... |
Manitoba Moose |