Patrick Mullen (ice hockey)

Patrick Mullen
Patrick Mullen
Born	May 6, 1986 (age 40); Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Occupation	Professional ice hockey player
Known for	Playing with Belfast Giants in the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL)

Patrick Mullen (born May 6, 1986) is a professional ice hockey player from the United States, currently playing with the Belfast Giants in the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). His most recent team was the Vienna Capitals competing in Austria's Erste Bank Eishockey Liga (EBEL). Mullen spent a season with the Sioux Falls Stampede in the United States Hockey League (USHL) before embarking on a four-year collegiate career at the University of Denver, where he earned All-WCHA Academic Team recognition twice and was honored with the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award during his senior year. After college, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Kings, spending three seasons with their AHL affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs. Subsequently, he signed with the Vancouver Canucks. Throughout his career, Mullen has demonstrated versatility by playing both forward and defense positions. He is also the son of Joe Mullen, a forward inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Early life

Patrick Mullen was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to parents Linda and Joe Mullen. He has two older brothers and one younger sister. His father is a celebrated forward in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Patrick completed his high school education as an honor roll student at Upper St. Clair High School located in Pittsburgh.

Playing career

During the 2004–05 season, Mullen competed in junior ice hockey for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL, tallying 37 points over 60 games and leading his team with a +11 plus-minus rating. He chose to attend the University of Denver (DU), drawn by both its coaching staff and location. Prior to his initial season with the Denver Pioneers, College Hockey News designated him as a Preseason Player to Watch. He netted his first collegiate goal in a 4–2 victory against Air Force and concluded his freshman year sixth on the team with 7 goals and 17 points across 37 games.

In his second year, Mullen achieved four games with multiple points and again accumulated 17 points, primarily playing as a forward but also appearing in four contests on defense. Although mononucleosis sidelined him for the WCHA playoffs, he earned a spot on the All-WCHA Academic Team. The 2007–08 season saw him start on defense, leading DU’s defenders in scoring. Despite receiving two misconduct penalties resulting in a one-game suspension during the WCHA playoffs, he returned to contribute to Denver’s tournament championship. His final collegiate season marked personal bests in assists and total points while leading Denver in blocked shots; he secured another All-WCHA Academic Team selection and was awarded the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.

Undrafted following college, Mullen inked a two-year entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings on April 3, 2009. Assigned to their AHL affiliate Manchester Monarchs, he assisted on his first professional game and scored his initial goal two months later. After appearing in 36 games, he briefly joined ECHL affiliate Ontario Reign before returning to Manchester, finishing his rookie campaign with 4 goals and 10 points over 44 games. In his sophomore pro season, Mullen became part of the Monarchs’ power play unit and doubled his output to 20 points across 67 games while alternating between defense and forward roles; this performance earned him a one-year contract extension with the Kings. His third season showed further progression, recording 41 points in 69 games along with 3 playoff points in four contests.

When his contract with Los Angeles concluded, Mullen signed with the Vancouver Canucks but was assigned to their AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves due to defensive depth and an NHL lockout. Early into that season, he suffered a shoulder injury that ended his campaign prematurely but was re-signed by Vancouver for an additional year. On March 4, 2014, he was traded to the Ottawa Senators organization in exchange for Jeff Costello.

During the 2015–16 season, Ottawa traded Mullen to the Nashville Predators for Conor Allen. After becoming a free agent at season’s end, he accepted a try-out contract with KHL club Dinamo Riga on July 27, 2016. He appeared in 39 KHL games tallying four goals and eight assists before leaving in December. Returning stateside, Mullen joined the AHL’s Rochester Americans after being claimed off waivers from Binghamton Senators in February 2017; he contributed 14 points over 27 games.

As a free agent again, Mullen agreed to a two-year deal with Swedish SHL team Linköpings HC in July 2017. In February 2018, he was loaned out for the remainder of that season to Adler Mannheim competing in Germany’s DEL league. In August 2019, Mullen signed with British EIHL side Belfast Giants; although departing in 2020, he returned as injury replacement in March 2022.

Additionally, Mullen participated as a member of his father’s team in the 3ICE league during its 2022, 2023, and 2025 seasons.