Bruce Mulherin
Encyclopedia
Bruce Mulherin is a Canadian
professional ice hockey
player, currently playing for Tohoku Free Blades
after being released by the Manchester Phoenix
due to financial problems. Mulherin began his senior level career icing at NCAA level for the University of Alabama in Huntsville
. In his first season at UAH, 2002–03, he featured in 22 games although only managed 3 points and 8 penalty minutes. Mulherin's form would improve greatly in his second year in Alabama
though, and in the same number of games he scored 24 points, a ratio greater than a point per game.
Mulherin would play for UAH for two more years, 2004–05 and 2005–06, playing on 64 occasions and totalling 74 points in that time. This excellent points-per-game ratio led to Mulherin's signature being picked up by the Gwinnett Gladiators
of the ECHL
, generally regarded as the third tier of professional ice hockey in North America
. Mulherin featured in 30 games, scoring 11 points. A mid-season move to the Toledo Storm
followed, also playing in the ECHL. Mulherin would once again find his scoring touch, totalling 28 points in 36 games. This would help the Storm into the post-season race for the Kelly Cup.
In 2007-08, Mulherin would sign for his third ECHL team, the Las Vegas Wranglers
, a team affiliated with the NHL
Calgary Flames
. He would be given plenty of ice time and repaid the faith shown in him with a return of 35 points in 50 games. Again he would help his team into the post-season and the Wranglers would go on to win the Pacific Division Championship. This success led to Manchester Phoenix
head coach Tony Hand
successfully seeking Mulherin's signature in the summer of 2008. It was Mulherin's first taste of European hockey, and he adapted quickly scoring 48 points in 55 games despite suffering a knee injury part way through the season. Mulherin's work rate and natural goal-scoring ability lifted the Phoenix into both domestic cup finals as well as the post-season. Despite the on-ice success, financial problems continued and the Phoenix made the decision to play the 2009-10 season in the EPL
, limiting the available budget. Consequently much of the senior squad, including Mulherin, was released. Signe whit Tohoku Free Blades in the Asia league.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player, currently playing for Tohoku Free Blades
Tohoku Free Blades
The are an Asia League Ice Hockey team based in Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan.Founded in 2008, they are playing their first Asia League season in 2009.-Community Contributions:...
after being released by the Manchester Phoenix
Manchester Phoenix
Manchester Phoenix are a professional ice hockey team from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England. The club was formed in 2003 as a result of the efforts of supporters group Friends of Manchester Ice Hockey to bring top-level ice hockey back to Manchester after Manchester Storm folded in...
due to financial problems. Mulherin began his senior level career icing at NCAA level for the University of Alabama in Huntsville
University of Alabama in Huntsville
The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a state-supported, public, coeducational research university, located in Huntsville, Alabama, United States, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees, and is organized in five...
. In his first season at UAH, 2002–03, he featured in 22 games although only managed 3 points and 8 penalty minutes. Mulherin's form would improve greatly in his second year in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
though, and in the same number of games he scored 24 points, a ratio greater than a point per game.
Mulherin would play for UAH for two more years, 2004–05 and 2005–06, playing on 64 occasions and totalling 74 points in that time. This excellent points-per-game ratio led to Mulherin's signature being picked up by the Gwinnett Gladiators
Gwinnett Gladiators
The Gwinnett Gladiators are a professional minor league ice hockey team based in Duluth, Georgia. The Gladiators play in the South Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Gladiators play their home games at the Arena at Gwinnett Center....
of the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
, generally regarded as the third tier of professional ice hockey in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Mulherin featured in 30 games, scoring 11 points. A mid-season move to the Toledo Storm
Toledo Storm
The Toledo Storm was a minor league professional ice hockey team in the ECHL from 1991 to 2007. The Storm played their home games at the venerable Toledo Sports Arena along the southern banks of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio. The team colors were red and white, similar to the Detroit Red Wings,...
followed, also playing in the ECHL. Mulherin would once again find his scoring touch, totalling 28 points in 36 games. This would help the Storm into the post-season race for the Kelly Cup.
In 2007-08, Mulherin would sign for his third ECHL team, the Las Vegas Wranglers
Las Vegas Wranglers
The Las Vegas Wranglers are a professional ice hockey team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wranglers are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL...
, a team affiliated with the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
. He would be given plenty of ice time and repaid the faith shown in him with a return of 35 points in 50 games. Again he would help his team into the post-season and the Wranglers would go on to win the Pacific Division Championship. This success led to Manchester Phoenix
Manchester Phoenix
Manchester Phoenix are a professional ice hockey team from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England. The club was formed in 2003 as a result of the efforts of supporters group Friends of Manchester Ice Hockey to bring top-level ice hockey back to Manchester after Manchester Storm folded in...
head coach Tony Hand
Tony Hand
Tony Hand MBE is a Scottish ice hockey player who became the first British-raised player to be drafted by an NHL team when he was picked by the Edmonton Oilers in 1986. He is currently player-coach of the Manchester Phoenix...
successfully seeking Mulherin's signature in the summer of 2008. It was Mulherin's first taste of European hockey, and he adapted quickly scoring 48 points in 55 games despite suffering a knee injury part way through the season. Mulherin's work rate and natural goal-scoring ability lifted the Phoenix into both domestic cup finals as well as the post-season. Despite the on-ice success, financial problems continued and the Phoenix made the decision to play the 2009-10 season in the EPL
English Premier Ice Hockey League
The English Premier Ice Hockey League commonly abbreviated to EPIHL, or simply EPL, is a senior ice hockey league in England, and is run and administered by the English Ice Hockey Association...
, limiting the available budget. Consequently much of the senior squad, including Mulherin, was released. Signe whit Tohoku Free Blades in the Asia league.
Career stats
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2002-03 | U. Alabama - Huntsville University of Alabama in Huntsville The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a state-supported, public, coeducational research university, located in Huntsville, Alabama, United States, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees, and is organized in five... |
NCAA | 22 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2003-04 | U. Alabama - Huntsville University of Alabama in Huntsville The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a state-supported, public, coeducational research university, located in Huntsville, Alabama, United States, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees, and is organized in five... |
NCAA | 22 | 8 | 16 | 24 | 28 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2004-05 | U. Alabama - Huntsville University of Alabama in Huntsville The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a state-supported, public, coeducational research university, located in Huntsville, Alabama, United States, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees, and is organized in five... |
NCAA | 31 | 24 | 15 | 39 | 80 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2005-06 | U. Alabama - Huntsville University of Alabama in Huntsville The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a state-supported, public, coeducational research university, located in Huntsville, Alabama, United States, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees, and is organized in five... |
NCAA | 33 | 16 | 19 | 35 | 47 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2006-07 | Gwinnett Gladiators Gwinnett Gladiators The Gwinnett Gladiators are a professional minor league ice hockey team based in Duluth, Georgia. The Gladiators play in the South Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Gladiators play their home games at the Arena at Gwinnett Center.... |
ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
30 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 25 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2006-07 | Toledo Storm Toledo Storm The Toledo Storm was a minor league professional ice hockey team in the ECHL from 1991 to 2007. The Storm played their home games at the venerable Toledo Sports Arena along the southern banks of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio. The team colors were red and white, similar to the Detroit Red Wings,... |
ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
36 | 10 | 18 | 28 | 41 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | ||
| 2007-08 | Las Vegas Wranglers Las Vegas Wranglers The Las Vegas Wranglers are a professional ice hockey team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wranglers are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the ECHL... |
ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
50 | 15 | 20 | 35 | 90 | 17 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 31 | ||
| 2008-09 | Manchester Phoenix Manchester Phoenix Manchester Phoenix are a professional ice hockey team from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England. The club was formed in 2003 as a result of the efforts of supporters group Friends of Manchester Ice Hockey to bring top-level ice hockey back to Manchester after Manchester Storm folded in... |
EIHL | 55 | 25 | 23 | 48 | 115 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2009-10 | Tohoku Free Blades Tohoku Free Blades The are an Asia League Ice Hockey team based in Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan.Founded in 2008, they are playing their first Asia League season in 2009.-Community Contributions:... |
ALIH | 36 | 21 | 30 | 51 | 108 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2010-11 | Tohoku Free Blades Tohoku Free Blades The are an Asia League Ice Hockey team based in Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan.Founded in 2008, they are playing their first Asia League season in 2009.-Community Contributions:... |
ALIH | ||||||||||||
| Career Totals | 279 | 101 | 122 | 223 | 434 | 22 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 37 | ||||
- Includes league/post season games only, correct up to 04/08/08
External links
- "Tohoku Free Blades seek improvement in second" prohockeynews.com Sep 9, 2010
- Bruce Mulherin Personal Profile, Manchester Phoenix Official Website
- Mulherin Boost For Phoenix, Manchester Phoenix Official Website, 25/07/08