Don't feel bad for missing it. Joey don't mind. Mullen was never one who sought the spotlight. He never felt comfortable getting attention. And so, Mullen is content to just slip into retirement with little fuss or fanfare. Mullen says that's just his style. He wants to just slip out the side door.
Mullen doesn't have Lemieux's gift for the game, few in the game's history have, but he still managed to leave a footprint that will endure. He won 3 Stanely Cups, 2 as a Penguin, had 6 seasons with 40 or more goals and is the only US-born player to get 500 goals in his career.
That's pretty good for a boy who learned the game in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan.
"If it was anyone else but Mario going out, he wouldn't be overshadowed," says fellow Penguin, Ron Francis. "He's going to be in the Hall of Fame one day. By no means should he go out quietly. But unfortunately, there's a pretty big shadow being cast by Mario walking out."
Truth be told, Mullen almost retired last year. He spent 95-96 in Boston after five seasons with the Penguins and, had Craig Patrick not offered him a job last summer, Mullen likely would have quit.
"It was a perfect opportunity for me to stay in and go for 500. My family was stil here and everything, so I couldn't have asked for a more perfect situation." Mullen said.
The difference is, Mullen's age has begun to betray him, while Lemieux remains a world-class performer. Which is why Mullen remains a bit perplexed that Mario is leaving.
Lemieux, of course, will go down as one of the finest talents the game has produced. Mullen only wants to be remembered as "the guy who gave 100% out there all the time, tried to do his best and played hard for the team all the time."
Well, it isn't going to work out that way. Not because anyone ever questioned Mullen's effort or dedication, but because he made so many tangible contributions to his teams. And to hockey in his country.
"He's someone that I've always looked up to," Dziedzic said. "And now that I've gotten to know him during the last year, he's a great leader. He's a great man.
"We'll have all the respect in the world for him. We admire him. And we love him."
Mullen Memories
GOALS:502
ASSISTS:561
POINTS:1,063
HAT TRICKS:11
FIRST GAME:Ironically, was vs. Penguins, October 6, 1981 as a member of the St. Louis BLues.
FIRST GOAL:January 5, 1982, with Blues vs. Minnesota's Gilles Meloche.
5OOth GOAL:March 14, 1997, with Penguins vs. Colorado's Patrick Roy.
USA-USA:The first American-born player to record 500 goals.
BEST SEASON:88-89, with Calgary Flames, scored 110 points(51 goals, 56 assists)
PLAYOFFS:Has 60 goals and 46 assists in 143 games.
Adapted from article in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
