In 74 years of American Hockey League play, the Hershey Bears have seen fit to retire just four uniform numbers.

Banners honoring Frank Mathers and Ralph Keller (No. 3), Mike Nykoluk (8), Arnie Kullman and Tim Tookey (9), and Willie Marshall and Mitch Lamoureux (16) hang from the Giant Center rafters.

Bears equipment manager Justin Kullman finds himself glancing at his late grandfather’s No. 9 from the Hershey bench before every home game.

“During the national anthem,” the 27-year-old Kullman said. “I’m always staring around and looking up (at the banner). It’s really neat to be part of this, to be a part of something he was a part of. I’m lucky to have gotten that chance.”

Arnie Kullman ranks second in franchise history in games played (753) and goals (253), third in points (619) and fourth in assists (366). The former forward died in 1999 when his grandson was 13.

'You wish you could watch him play'

“I wish I was 27 years old 15 years ago and I wish I knew I was going to be in this position,” Justin Kullman said. “I would love to talk to him and see what it was really like in pro hockey in those days.

“Unfortunately now all I hear is, ‘Oh, your grandfather was a feisty player. He went in the corners. Made plays. Scored lots of goals and had lots of points.’ That’s what I hear from people who saw him play. You wish you could pull up video from those games and watch him play yourself.”

Arnie Kullman played 12 seasons for the Bears from 1948-49 through 1959-60. He scored 20 or more goals seven times, and won back-to-back Calder Cups in 1958 and 1959.

During his career, Arnie Kullman also played 13 games for the National Hockey League’s Boston Bruins, picking up one assist and 11 penalty minutes.

Justin Kullman is now in his ninth season as Hershey’s equipment manager, having been hired in 2003 at the age of 19.

During his time with the Bears, he has collected three Calder Cup rings – one more than his grandfather.