Matt Cullen gets shaving cream birthday surprise from Marc-Andre Fleury (Photos)

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cullen received a birthday surprise at morning skate Wednesday at Honda Center.

Cullen, who turned 40 today, got a face full of shaving cream from goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury at the team’s finishing stretches. Teammates laughed loudly as Cullen wiped off his face with a towel. In the team dressing room afterwards Cullen, who will suit up for his 1,304th game of this NHL career at the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday, still had some shaving cream on his gear.

[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey contest now]

“I had never tasted shaving cream before, but now I know,” Cullen said.

When asked if it had a certain flavor Cullen quipped, “Menthol I think.”

Said teamamte Nick Bonino, “That was awesome. It was a 40th birthday, big shaving cream in the face. That was funny. I really enjoyed that.”

Cullen had considered retirement after the 2014-15 season with the Nashville Predators. He then signed a one-year $800,000 contract with the Penguins and became an important part of their forward depth on their run to the 2016 Stanley Cup.

Cullen further delayed retirement during this summer by inking a one-year, $1 million deal with the Penguins. The decision for him to return has proven to be a good one for both him and the Penguins. Cullen has seven points in his first nine games and had found an important role on the team yet again as they have dealt with injuries.

“I’ve been pretty blessed to be here as long as I have,” Cullen said. “I love the game. That’s the biggest thing. I really enjoy the games and enjoy the training. I enjoy all of it. I guess I never lost that love.”

– – – – – – –

Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper

MORE FROM YAHOO SPORTS