Cullinan Brothers Take the Ice

Whiz Kids' Names, Age: Joe Cullinan, 18, and Bob Cullinan, 14
Whiz Kids' School: Wilton High School
Whiz Kids' Accomplishment: The brothers are members of Wilton's varsity hockey team, marking the first time they've player together on the same squad due to their difference in ages. 

Key To Awesomeness: For the first time in their lives, the Cullinan bothers -- Bob and Joe -- are playing hockey together as members of Wilton High's varsity squad.

Because they are four years apart in age, the siblings never were able to skate together on the same club. Youth hockey age groupings are separated by only two years.

However, Joe entered Wilton High as a freshman this year, affording him the opportunity to finally play with his older brother, and they are loving it.

Since Bob, a senior, is graduating in June, this is the only chance they will get. Wilton coach Brett Amero uses them on the special teams units, with Bob playing center and Joe on the wing.

“Bob has good hands and really can wheel around," Joe Cullinan said.  'It is a lot of fun playing with him. It is great learning from my brother and all the older kids on the team."

Bob Cullinan acknowledges that playing with his brother is a new experience for him.

“I have always watched him play," Bob said.  "Now I get to be one the ice with Joe. They put us out on the ice together for power plays and penalty kills. Joe has pretty good feet and is an instinctually a smart player.” 

The players say they have developed a special chemistry and look out for each other on the ice. They also have a knack for finishing each other's sentences.

"When we are on the power play, I am always looking for (Joe) on the half-boards because he has a knack for making good passes down low," Bob said.

"I know where my brother likes to go, so I try and get the puck back to him in those spots," Joe added.

Bob Cullinan is unsure where he will be attending college.

“I am waiting he hear back from a few schools, but will probably try and play club hockey,” he said.  “I want to major in journalism and have an interest in accounting.”