Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

It is Wednesday once again, so we're looking back at a Maple Leaf and wondering where he went after his time in Toronto was done.

Last week I looked at a player who played for the Leafs the year I was born, now we'll see one who shares my hometown.

Brian Cullen was from a family of hockey players in the 1950s, and he played junior for the OHA St. Catharines Tee-Pees, and would win a Memorial Cup with them before leaving junior behind.

He joined the Maple Leafs in the 1954-55 season after that Memorial Cup win, when Chicago traded his rights to the Leafs for George Dusty Blair, Jack Leclair, and Frank Sullivan as the Tee-Pees were affiliated with Chicago at the time.

Cullen was a centre, and he wasn't a full time Leaf for the first few seasons, he would spend time in the minor leagues each season, playing for AHL teams like the Pittsburgh Hornets and Rochester Americans as well as the WHL Winnipeg Warriors. He would finally stick with the Leafs full time for the 57/58 and 58/59 seasons. Sadly, those were his last two, and he would join the New York Rangers for the 59/60 season, and play his final two NHL seasons there.

After the Rangers, he would return to the AHL Buffalo Bisons for two more years, and he would retire after he won the Calder Cup with Buffalo in 1963.

After retirement, he would open a Chevrolet dealership in St. Catharines, which is still up and running today. I bought my first car there!

His history in St. Catharines hockey hasn't been forgotten as the OHL Niagara IceDogs raised a banner for his junior hockey history in the city, and it hangs alongside fellow St. Catharines junior greats Marcel Dionne and Stan Mikita.

Brian Cullen, where'd he go? Home. He went home.

Now, some news.

The trade deadline is coming! The trade deadline is coming!

Maple Leafs 2025 Trade Deadline Preview: Biggest targets, chips, needs
While it wasn’t surprising that GM Brad Treliving tempered expectations ahead of the 2025 trade deadline, the Maple Leafs will do something, they must. Luke Fox previews where the team stands ahead of Friday and what you need to know.
Sportsnet.caLuke Fox

Also, sadly, some MLSE employees won't be there to see the results.

Toronto Maple Leafs and Raptors’ parent company MLSE slashes workforce
The parent company of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors appears to be undergoing a major restructuring. On Tuesday, Maple Leaf Sports & Ent…
blogTOAdam Laskaris, Offside

Laughton would love to play for the Leafs, but if rumoured prices hold up (a first?!) I would not love to pay it.

Report: Scott Laughton would ‘love’ to play for Maple Leafs if traded
Philadephia Flyers centre Scott Laughton would reportedly be jacked to…
TheLeafsNationMichael Mazzei

I am once again, not on the list.

Real Kyper’s Trade Board 5.0: 25 names to watch this week
Welcome to the week of the NHL trade deadline, where all moves have to be completed by Friday at 3 p.m. ET / noon PT. To get you set, Nick Kypreos releases his latest trade board, which will be updated all week as players get dealt and the market changes.
Sportsnet.caNick Kypreos

A three-way trade for the Oilers a couple of forwards.

Oilers acquire Trent Frederic, Max Jones in three-way trade with Bruins, Devils
Trent Frederic has recorded 15 points in 57 games with the Boston Bruins this season.
Daily FaceoffCory Wilkins

Montreal stays on top of the PWHL, but can anyone catch them?

PWHL Power Rankings: The Victorious Victoire are the team to beat
Hunter Crowther and Tyler Kuehl give their thoughts on how the teams are looking as we get into the month of March.
Daily FaceoffTyler Kuehl

I will be at the Victoire / Scepters game tomorrow night to find out for myself.

Speaking of the Victorie, forward Kristin O'Niel has been fined $250 for a stick to the head of an opponent.

Kristin O’Neill Fined By PWHL Safety Committee
Montreal Victoire forward Kristin O’Neill has been fined by the PWHL. After a review by the PWHL Player Safety Committee, O’Neill has been fined $250.
Yahoo SportsIan Kennedy

Hockey sign ups are down, but some are finding ways to grow the game.

Finally, if you're going to be in Dawson Creek, BC at the end of November, check out the 2025 Para Cup!

2025 Para Cup coming to Dawson Creek – Energeticcity.ca
An international para ice hockey competition, the 2025 Para Cup, will come to Dawson Creek.
Energeticcity.caEd Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Enjoy your day everyone!

From The Branches