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After the first period of the Bowdoin - Hamilton game today (2/9),
Bowdoin retired the #19 jersey worn by Bob Kullen.  Here's the speech
that was read.
 
"Ladies and gentlemen, today we honor one of Bowdoin's all-time hockey
greats by retiring the #19 jersey worn by Bob Kullen.  Kullen began
his career at Bowdoin in 1968, as a sophomore defenseman for coach Sid
Watson.  In his first season, he did not score a goal, but managed
seven assists.  The next year, Kullen was a major reason that Bowdoin
became the first team in history to go through the ECAC Division II
regular season with an undefeated record.  Bowdoin advanced to the
ECAC Championship Game, where the Polar Bears fell to Vermont, 4-1, to
finish with a best-ever record of 19-3.  After his junior season,
Kullen, who finished with two goals and 17 assists, was named to the
ECAC/All-East Small College All-Star Team.
 
"In his senior year, Kullen was co-captain of Bowdoin's first
championship team, guiding the Polar Bears to a 19-4-1 record.  In the
championship game, Bowdoin faced Vermont for the second consecutive
year an, in one of the Polar Bears' greatest games, stunned the
Catamounts with a goal in overtime for a 5-4 victory.  Kullen was
named the Most Valuable Player of the Championship Game.  Following
the season, Kullen, who finished with one goal and 21 assists, for a
career-high 22 points, was named to the ECAC/All-East Small College
All-Star team for the second time and was named to the American Hockey
Coaches Association's College Division All-American Team.  He was also
awarded the Joseph Tomasello Award for Unsung Hero by the New England
Hockey Writers.  He finished his career with three goals and 45
assists for 48 points.
 
"Following his Bowdoin career, Kullen played for the United States
National team in the World Championships and for the US Olympic team
that won a silver medal at the 1972 Winter Olympics in Romania.
 
"Kullen began his coaching career at Lawrence Academy, and became an
assistant coach at the University of New Hampshire in 1977.  After
eight years as an assistant, he was named UNH's head coach in 1986.
But after his first season, Kullen was diagnosed as having heart
disease, and he underwent a heart transplant in August of 1987.  He
made a courageous return to coaching in 1988, and last winter led UNH
to a 17-17-5 record and its best-ever finish in Hockey East and was
named last year's Division I New England Coach of the Year.
 
"Bob Kullen died on November 3, 1990, at the age of 41.  Polar Bear
hockey fans, and hockey fans around New England will remember him for
his hustle, perseverance and determination.  Now at center ice, former
head coach and current Director of Athletics Sid Watson, along with
current head coach Terry Meagher, will present the number 19 jersey to
his brother Peter, and a collage of photographs to his wife, Kathy.
Ed Good, a classmate of Bob's is also at center ice."
 
Pete Kester
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