Mullen, an ultimate team player who neversought the individual spotlight, retired the same night as Mario Lemieux.

Who would have ever guessed that a kid from New York's tough Hell's Kitchen neighborhood would ever make the National Hockey League! He and his brother Brian (who also enjoyed a lengthy NHL career) used to have to carry axes in their equipment bags as a form of self protection.

Mullen's 16-year NHL career was spent with the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins. Although never flashy, he was a consistent goal scoring threat and a great team player. A gentleman on the ice, he was awarded the Lady Byng Trophy on two occasions. But he will always be remembered as the first U.S.-born player to score 500 career goals and the first American to record 1,000 career points.

Mullen's hockey career began at Boston College where he recorded 212 points in 111 games for the Eagles. He then played three years with Salt Lake of the CHL where he was named the league's top rookie during the 1979-80 season. The following year, he led the CHL in scoring with 117 points and was named the league MVP.

Joe signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Blues in 1981-82 and became an NHL regular by 1983.

Mullen played parts of five seasons with St. Louis before being traded to Calgary during the 1985-86 campaign. It is with Calgary that Mullen enjoyed his best years. In 1986-87, Mullen scored 47 goals and he won the Lady Byng Trophy, becoming the first American-born player to win the Trophy since 1936. He went on to post 5 consecutive season reaching the 40-goal plateau. His best year was 1988-89 when he scored 51 goals and 110 points en route to leading the Calgary Flames to their first Stanley Cup. Mullen led all post season sharpshooters that year in goals with 16. He was selected to the NHL First All-Star team and won his second Lady Byng Trophy. That year, he also became the all-time leading American-born scorer.

Mullen was traded to Pittsburgh prior to the 1990-91 season and he helped lead the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. In 1991-92, he recorded his seventh season with 40-or-more goals and in 1993-94 he notched his tenth season with 30-or-more goals.

The 1994-95 saw Mullen become the first American born player to record 1,000 career NHL points and after the season he was honored with the Lester Patrick Award.

Joe Mullen is the greatest American born player to date. He helped generate hockey interest in the US and paved the road to success for many of today's American superstars. Joe Mullen was named to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in September of 1998 and Hockey's Hall of Fame will soon be calling as well.

Hang it High!

Great job Joe!