Matt Cullen Leaving Stanley Cup Champions to Return to Minnesota

Matt Cullen has chosen life in Minnesota over returning to the reigning and defending Stanley Cup Champions.

Cullen, 40, played with the Minnesota Wild for three seasons from 2010-2013 before departing to Nashville. He has spent the last two seasons in Pittsburgh, where the helped the team win two Stanley Cups. He also won a title with Carolina in 2006.

But it's time for him to return to the Twin Cities. The Wild have announced that they signed Cullen to a one-year contract worth $1 million with the potential for $700,000 in bonuses.

Why leave the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions? According to Dan Myers of Wild.com, the reason came down to settling his kids and family down in one city, and their place of choice is Minnesota.

Cullen has played in the NHL since 1997 with stints in Anaheim, Florida, Carolina, New York (Rangers), Ottawa, Minnesota, Nashville, and Pittsburgh.