Ice, Tape, and Talk: Catching Up with Paul Culina

Picture it: midday sun streaming through the bistro windows, a Ballotin Rosa soda in hand (which, let’s be honest, is basically a non-alcoholic Negroni in a very fancy disguise), and two old friends pulling up stools for a chat that starts with college hockey and ends somewhere between heartwarming and hilarious.

Welcome to another episode recap of Cocktails with Friends, where host Bob Cutler catches up with Paul Culina, athletic trainer, father, beer brewer, and certified Maine legend. If there were a state coin featuring local heroes, Paul’s face would be on it. Or maybe the bottle cap.

Paul’s resume reads like a playbook for loyalty and impact: nearly 30 years at the University of Maine, a fixture in Black Bear hockey, and president of the Maine Athletic Trainers Association. Not to mention, he was a groomsman in Bob’s wedding — a position that requires both emotional endurance and the ability to stand still in rented shoes.

The two reminisce about Maine hockey’s rollercoaster past — from national championships to the NCAA “troubles,” to today’s NIL-fueled recruiting chaos. Paul breaks it down with the calm of someone who’s seen everything from 42-win seasons to triple-jump records set by his kid.

The two dive into the quirks of college hockey, including how the draft works (hint: it’s less “NFL combine” and more “birth year roulette”). Paul explains how a player can be 21 as a freshman and still fly under the radar, grinding through junior leagues to prove they belong. It’s a blue-collar path for a blue-collar team — Maine hockey’s lunch-pail, hard-hat spirit lives strong. 

At the heart of it all is Paul — the guy who tapes ankles and tempers nerves, builds trust with athletes, and still finds time to brew a beer called Next Goal Wins with his men’s league. He’s the kind of guy you want in your corner—or behind the bench.

Until next time, pull up a stool, pour something fizzy, and remember: sometimes the best conversations don’t need alcohol — just history, heart, and a friend who knows your weak side is glove side.

Cheers.

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