Ex-NHL Veteran Highlights Brett Larson's First Staff With Gophers Hockey

Minnesota has officially announced its coaching staff for the 2026-27 season.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:18pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a hockey game in progress, with the players and ice reduced to sharp, overlapping geometric forms in a palette of blues, whites, and grays, conveying the raw energy and movement of the sport.Larson's new-look Gophers coaching staff aims to reshape the program with a blend of NHL experience and local ties.Virginia Today

The University of Minnesota has announced the coaching staff for its men's hockey team under new head coach Brett Larson. The staff is highlighted by the addition of former NHL veteran Matt Cullen as the Director of Player Development.

Why it matters

Cullen's extensive NHL experience and connections to the local Minnesota hockey community make him a significant hire for the Gophers program as they look to return to national prominence under Larson's leadership.

The details

In addition to Cullen, the Gophers' coaching staff includes returning assistants Ben Gordon and Paul Martin, as well as new hires Cory Laylin and Jacob LeRoy. Cullen, a native of Virginia, Minnesota, played over 1,500 games in the NHL and won three Stanley Cups. Since retiring in 2019, he has coached at the high school level, leading Moorhead High School to back-to-back state championships. Two of Cullen's sons, Wyatt and Brooks, are currently committed to play for the Gophers.

  • Brett Larson was hired as the new head coach of Gophers men's hockey a few weeks ago.
  • Cullen retired from the NHL after the 2018-19 season.

The players

Brett Larson

The new head coach of the University of Minnesota men's hockey team.

Matt Cullen

A former NHL veteran with over 1,500 career games and three Stanley Cup championships. He has been hired as the Director of Player Development for the Gophers.

Ben Gordon

An assistant coach who has been with the Gophers program since 2018.

Paul Martin

An assistant coach who has been helping out with the Gophers program since 2020.

Cory Laylin

A new assistant coach hire who has previous experience as a head coach at Buffalo High School and Hamline University.

Jacob LeRoy

The Gophers' Director of Operations, who has been retained through the coaching change.

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What they’re saying

“I'm really excited about the group we've put together. We've brought in an incredible staff that's respected across the game, outstanding at what they do, and hungry to get to work. There's a strong sense of purpose with this group and it will immediately benefit our program.”

— Brett Larson, Head Coach

What’s next

The next step for Minnesota will be building a roster. Retaining their top talent and incoming recruits will be key ahead of what could be a chaotic transfer portal cycle.

The takeaway

The addition of NHL veteran Matt Cullen to the Gophers' coaching staff, along with the experienced group of assistants, signals a new era of leadership for the program as they look to return to national prominence under head coach Brett Larson.