Dearborn Grad Omar Mullan Leads Amarillo Bulls to NAHL Championship

Editor's note: This article was submitted by Omar Mullan.

After graduating from Dearborn High School in 2011, Omar Mullan made his way to Texas to begin his career as a junior hockey player in the North American Hockey League.

Mullan previously played hockey for Michigan’s Belle Tire club, then was drafted to the United States Hockey League's Muskegon Lumberjacks, and recently to the NAHL Amarillo Bulls, where he quickly became a fan favorite and found a new hockey home.

He broke into the line-up helping Amarillo win the south division and make it to the championship playoffs in Dallas in 2011. That year, the team fell one game short in its run for the title; the next year would be different.

“Our fans and owners deserve a championship for their loyalty and support. We have to win it all-absolutely,” said Mullan.

His suggested recipe for success was earnest and inspired.

"This will be done through hard work and determination on the ice, and in the Amarillo community," he said.

He was right: the 2012-2013 season was special. The team matched its record of 99 points, but Mullan more than doubled his pointstreak production from the previous year, boasting 15 goals and 27 assists and a plus 43. He also led the team in penalty minutes both years.

Mullan explained that he went to the box for largely strategic purposes and offsetting, not to hurt the team.

The typical NAHL hockey season is a grueling 60 games followed by the playoffs. The athletes have to be both mentally and physically prepared for the challenge, and Mullan was up for the challenge.

“As a veteran, I knew what to expect this year," he said.

The Amarillo Bulls went on to win the NAHL championship, the President’s cup and earned the most win points of all 28 teams competing.

“We went into the playoffs ready and confident, beating the Corpus Christi Ice Rays in the first round and Texas Tornadoes in the second," Mullan said.

Following these feats, the Bulls were counted among the four playoff division winners competing for the Robertson Cup in Dallas. The division finalists included: Johnstown, NY; Bismark, ND; and Wanatchee, Wash.

The four-day competition was fierce, however the Amarillo Bulls pulled through to defeat Wanatchee with a final score of 5-0 after losing to them the previous day. Mullan had a goal and an assist in the championship.

“The Bulls wanted to prove that we could win the Robertson Cup,” said Mullan. “We were there the previous two years, but could not bring the cup to Amarillo. This year I plan to lead the team for a repeat of the Robertson Cup, and hope to continue my hockey career at a Division One University.”