Have you ever looked at pictures (or been in) the Montreal Forum, Boston Garden, or Maple Leaf Gardens? Ever looked at the banners hanging from the ceiling? All those championship banners and retired numbers hanging up there. Numbers of players like Maurice Richard, Bobby Orr, Tim Horton, Phil Espisito, and Ken Dryden. You know how impressive it looks when you walk in there. You look at the banners and even a non-hockey fan would relize these guys are winners. Well, the point of this article is to talk about the Penguins and retired numbers. Joe Mullen in particular.

Mullen grew up in New York (like many other US hockey players) playing hockey with his brother Brian (who was also in the NHL) and his other friends. His rookie season was played with the Blues sharing one lead in goals and taking one with 43. He went to Calgary and that was the turning point of his career. He won two Presidents Trophies and one Stanley Cup. In addition to the pair of Lady Byngs he took home.

He was traded to Pittsburgh before the 90-91 season after suffering a possible career ending injury. Mullen added leadership and experience to the early season Pens. Mario Lemieux was out for several months at the beginning of the season with a rare bone disease. Which meant players like Kevin Stevens, Mark Recchi, John Cullen, Paul Coffey, and Joe Mullen had to step up. And they did. In the playoffs Joe Mullen had a hot streak with 8 goals 9 assists and 17 points. Including two goals in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

In 1991-92 Joe Mullen shined playing in 77 games and scoring 42 goals (second on the team to Le Manifique) with 45 assists and 87 points. Mullen continued to play well into the playoffs, scoring a goal in Game 6 of the Washington series turning the momentum over for the Pens and allowing the Pens to have a game 7 Vs. the Caps. He was injured in the New York Rangers series in an game that was also witness to Adam Graves’ cheap shot on Mario Lemieux. The Pens went on to win the Stanley Cup that year as well.

In 1992-93 Mullen continued his scoring pace scoring 33 goals and 37 assists adding up to 70 points overall helping the Penguins to win the Presidents Trophy for best record in the NHL at the end of the season.

In 93-94 he upped his goal total 5 goals with 38 and 32 assists once again ending with 70 points. In the year of the lockout (94-95) He played 45 games and scored 16 goals, 21 assists and 37 points overall while him and the Pens went to the second round only to be eliminated by the New Jersey Devils. After this season he was traded to the Boston Bruins playing there for a year before coming back to the Pens in 97. In 1997-98 Mullen didn’t get much Ice time, but he managed to score 7 goals and on the fifth goal scored in March on the fourteenth day he became the first American born player to score 500 goals Vs. the Colorado Avalanche assisted by Chris Tamer. Six days later back at the Igloo at a game that I attended Mullen scored 501 and 502 and picking up the number one star vs. the Maple Leafs. Goal number 502 would be the last of his career retiring after the 98 season.

Mullens career highlights include:

• Three Stanley Cups
• Two Presidents Trophies
• Two Lady Byngs
• First American Born Player with 1,000 Assists
• Fist American Born Player to Score 500 goals.
• Named Penguins “Unsung Hero” twice
• Named Penguins “Players Player” twice
• Six 40+ goal seasons
• 1989 NHL +/- leader
• Lester Patrick Award (Outstanding to USA hockey)
• And with your help The day his number was retired at the Civic Arena!
  
  Sign the Joey Mullen Petition
  to help retire his number! (If anyone has a better petition code please send it to me at drboni7@hotmail.com)