Paul Mulvey, What could have been

[spiderarms]

This huge man at 6'4 and 225lbs was one tough dude. A feared man
who was just getting started making a name for himself in the NHL with the Washington Capitals first, a brief stint with the Penquins and finally the LA Kings.

He was extremely strong, had great balance, a long reach and hit like a truck. He was not a bad hockey player either. He scored 15 goals one season and played pretty fair defensively on his wing as well.

He had been fighting the NHL's best with great success and I was very impressed with his victories over Willi Plett, Rod Langway, Harold Snepts, Wolfman Jack Mac and a draw with Big Behn Wilson.

But that's when he made a decision that would effect his career and future in hockey. He decided not to follow his LA Kings coach, Don Perry's orders to leave the bench and join in a brawl on the ice with the Vancouver Canucks.

From this point forward, he was sent to the minors in New Haven and was never given another chance by another NHL team again.

My question to you guys, is what do you think would have happened had Mulvey not made that decision and where do you think he would have placed on the NHL's All-Time fight list?

IMO, he would have been an All-Time top 20 fighter.

[battleship25]

I agree he had the tools, I wondered the same thing a few months back. Great size, strength, power, seemed really solid on his pins. Don't think he had that ingredient that I have to have in my top 10 guys...warrior spirit. Seemed a little more like a Jim McKenzie , but boy did he have the tools. I might venture and say he might've been top 5 if he was meaner, and liked to fight. Don Cherry was hilarious talking about the Perry incident ..'What did the guy have 6 goals..??? Hell I could kick in 6 goals...what did he think he was there for anyways??' . However I'll never forget what Battleship Kelly told me when I asked him what he thought of what happened...he said " I'd a punched that coach in the mouth ".
Regardless , would've loved to see more. Like a rematch with Wilson, maybe battling Semenko, Playfair, etc...would've been beauties for sure.
Also supposedly beat up Schultz and Wensink.

[bustoff]

Nothing like his brother Grant who could really throw'em. I thought when he came up he was going to be something based on what I saw of Grant.

[smashem]

Hahahaha, A kid from So.Weymouth was called up to take his place when he did not follow his teammates his name was Mark Salvucchi. I know this dude pretty good. Mark never played a game but said it was the closest to hitting the ice

[2,5,10GameMatch]

Mulvey was beat down pretty good by the much smaller Bob McGill in McGill's rookie season, McGill had a funny year that campaign, he beats Larry Playfair and Mulvey but couldnt even get a draw vs Brian Sutter in 4 fights.

Paul Mulvey vs Bob McGill - YouTube

Desire and heart could take you a LONG WAY in Hockey as a fighter, I dont think Mulvey had enough of either attribute to take him to legendary status, he was what he was..........reluctant.

[battleship25]

Originally Posted by 2,5,10GameMatch

Mulvey was beat down pretty good by the much smaller Bob McGill in McGill's rookie season, McGill had a funny year that campaign, he beats Larry Playfair and Mulvey but couldnt even get a draw vs Brian Sutter in 4 fights.


Paul Mulvey vs Bob McGill - YouTube



Desire and heart could take you a LONG WAY in Hockey as a fighter, I dont think Mulvey had enough of either attribute to take him to legendary status, he was what he was..........reluctant.

Saw this one when it happened, I always saw this as a draw. That video you can't even see. The best punch of the fight is not even shown..this one cuts out the beginning...Mulvey landed a monster right hand riight off the bat(right there I knew this young guy McGill had an iron jaw) McGill's face showed the signs ..what a shot !!!!
2,5,10- it was weird about McGill...he seemed like a hugger ..almost like a Gallant type...but when he came back up (when wearing #15 ) he became much tougher , and I must say his stay in CHI his fights were the best...tons of t2t fights. Loved him sticking that big chin ...he was hilarious.

[2,5,10GameMatch]

Originally Posted by battleship25

Saw this one when it happened, I always saw this as a draw. That video you can't even see. The best punch of the fight is not even shown..this one cuts out the beginning...Mulvey landed a monster right hand riight off the bat(right there I knew this young guy McGill had an iron jaw) McGill's face showed the signs ..what a shot !!!!
2,5,10- it was weird about McGill...he seemed like a hugger ..almost like a Gallant type...but when he came back up (when wearing #15 ) he became much tougher , and I must say his stay in CHI his fights were the best...tons of t2t fights. Loved him sticking that big chin ...he was hilarious.

I have seen a clearer version of this fight and if I'm not correct, McGill seemed to really land one at the end, Mulvey was solid on his skates and he did go down pretty fast there....

But yes, I cant say enough about McGill, he was a total throwback, square jawed Hombre who threw caution to the wind with every shift was ready, willing and able to go with anyone. Beleive me when I say it was one of my most depressing days as a Leaf fan when he was traded to Chicago, what made it worse was even though I knew Al Secord was tough and talented?? he was far from his prime and I knew his fights would suck, which most of them did. He and Semenko did a piss poor job enforcing in 87-88, embarassing actually, meanwhile Big Daddy was entertaining Chicago, you guys were lucky to have him too.

And you're right, McGill's AHL demotion really seemed to help his fighting, changed his style, would have loved to see the Dave Brown fight...I always found it odd how Brown treated McGill, very cautiously in the NHL....

Now hypothetically if you could put Bob McGill's desire, fierceness and competiveness into the heart of Paul Mulvey?? He would have definitely been an alltime legend of Hockey Fighting, things happen for a reason and I feel Mulvey although physically equipped to the hilt?? He just wasnt willing to sacrifice.

[mikebflorida]

Wow, really interesting stuff about this guy Mulvey.

Sounds like he just didn't have that fire that some guys possess. If the whole team goes over the boards and you don't, that's a one way ticket off the team if I understand hockey correctly. If you aren't willing to take one for the team, no matter what, you lose respect.

Drawing or losing to McGill is no shame, Bob was a rock em sock em type a guy and could really pull out some wins over higher rated opponents.

[Howatt8]

I've never liked Mulvey as I've always considered him to be just about the worst thing that ever happened to fighting in hockey. His refusal to leave the bench during that Kings/Canucks brawl led to a very public outcry against fighting in hockey. It was the rallying cry for the anti-fighting contingent. It may not have been so bad, but Mulvey made it a point to take his complaint to the media who were more than willing to give Mulvey his soapbox.

As far as fighting skills go, I thought Paul Mulvey was the real deal and was destined to be a major fighting force in the league.

But, you just can’t talk about Mulvey without getting back to what he did during that Kings/Canucks brawl. The Kings were on a power play at the time and Ron Delorme was serving a roughing penalty. When the scrum began, Delorme left the penalty box where he was intercepted by Wells. It was then that Perry wanted Mulvey to get in there as the Canucks had a much tougher group on the ice than the Kings, what with Smyl, Williams, and now Delorme out there.

Mulvey should have followed his coaches instructions and left the bench. One of the reasons Mulvey gave for not leaving the bench was because he feared another suspension, but he was never in danger of that happening since Delorme was already the first guy over the boards when he left the box. Finally, Chartraw and Hardy led the Kings over the boards and Mulvey did eventually join the action and wrapped up Delorme.

IMO, Mulvey got exactly as he deserved. I mean, Mulvey was an enforcer first and foremost. His only reason for being in the league was because of his skills as a fighter. He should have been leading the charge off the bench, never mind having to be told to.

At the point Mulvey was told to leave the bench, Marcel Dionne was getting manhandled by both Smyl and Williams. Any enforcer worth his salt would have led the charge. Imagine if you will Bobby Clarke being attacked by two players the caliber of Smyl and Tiger. You couldn’t have held the Flyers back, let alone having to be told to join the fray.

It’s always been my opinion that he had all the tools to be one of the very best, but decided to sell out instead.

[BaddaBing Badda Boom]

I agree that PM lacked that key ingredients of heart and desire. I am sure, however, that a guy like this when piqued, could have been a real terror. Do not know what was going on inside his head. Also agree that this is a guy who's fuse was a bit too long to be an effective NHL enforcer. With truth and justice on his side to spark his righteous anger he probably easily bumps up into jaw-breaking territory.

[spiderarms]

Originally Posted by 2,5,10GameMatch

I have seen a clearer version of this fight and if I'm not correct, McGill seemed to really land one at the end, Mulvey was solid on his skates and he did go down pretty fast there....

But yes, I cant say enough about McGill, he was a total throwback, square jawed Hombre who threw caution to the wind with every shift was ready, willing and able to go with anyone. Beleive me when I say it was one of my most depressing days as a Leaf fan when he was traded to Chicago, what made it worse was even though I knew Al Secord was tough and talented?? he was far from his prime and I knew his fights would suck, which most of them did. He and Semenko did a piss poor job enforcing in 87-88, embarassing actually, meanwhile Big Daddy was entertaining Chicago, you guys were lucky to have him too.

And you're right, McGill's AHL demotion really seemed to help his fighting, changed his style, would have loved to see the Dave Brown fight...I always found it odd how Brown treated McGill, very cautiously in the NHL....

Now hypothetically if you could put Bob McGill's desire, fierceness and competiveness into the heart of Paul Mulvey?? He would have definitely been an alltime legend of Hockey Fighting, things happen for a reason and I feel Mulvey although physically equipped to the hilt?? He just wasnt willing to sacrifice.

Thanks for the video with McGill, unfortunately it was difficult to see really well but I will say this, it is no disgrace to lose to a guy like McGill, he was one tough son of a gun and I don't think there is anyone on this site that doesn't have a great deal of respect for him.

I agree that Paul Mulvey definitely had the physical tools to be an exceptional fighter.

The rumor that circulated with Paul Mulvey was that his fiancee was influencing his commitment to his job (Enforcing). True or not, its obvious in the end, he didn't want to do it any more.

But I can say this, when he fought Jack Mac, Behn Wilson, Rod Langway, Willi Plett and Harold Snepts, he was commited and I'm sure all of them would agree!

[2,5,10GameMatch]

Np Spider, there is a cleaner video of that one out there......I'm not shocked about the "Fiance" thing.......Rick Vaive although not a true heavyweight, was a rough customer when he first came into the NHL BUT his wife apparently ordered him "not to fight" and he obeyed.......what a bitch.....even though he was better at scoring than fighting.