NE Prep: QA with Avon’s Patrick Mullane

Patrick Mullane is ranked No. 151 by Central Scouting and has committed to Boston College for 2009. Mullane is a driven player who plays a hard-nosed style but is gifted offensively. He has speed and offensive ability that make him dangerous around the net. His vision and passing ability really set him apart from others at this level. He really had a breakout year offensively, finishing the season with 55 points (21 goals and 34 assists), which was good for seventh in prep scoring. He works well with his linemates Cam Atkinson (fellow BC recruit) and Paul Lee (Dartmouth recruit). His improvement from his freshman year to now, has been incredible to watch and he should only continue to improve.

McKeen's correspondent Vincent Montalbano recently had the chance to chat with Patrick Mullane and talked about his game, future college commitments, the upcoming draft and capturing his second consecutive prep championship with Avon.

McKeen's: How did you become interested in hockey? At what age did you start playing organized hockey?

Mullane: I became interested in hockey through my dad. He put me on skates at 18 months and I never looked back. I started playing in house at 3 or 4.

McKeen's: Describe the type of game you play. What are your strengths? Weaknesses?

Mullane: I feel that I play an extremely up-tempo game. I can be a guy who hits and forechecks but I can also slow the game down and become a playmaker. I feel my strengths are my passing and vision. I need to work on picking up men in the defensive zone, becoming stronger along the wall, and burying my opportunities.

McKeen's: What would you say is the most underrated facet to your game?

Mullane: I feel that the most underrated facet to my game would be my skating. A lot of people don't recognize that I do have speed and can create opportunities using my speed.

McKeen's: Which NHL player do you model your game after and why?

Mullane: I'd like to think I play a little bit like Patrice Bergeron, in that I am a strong defensive player but I also am a threat in the offensive zone.

McKeen's: Who are the five most talented players you have played against and what specifically do you admire about their styles?

Mullane:

Cam Atkinson- Has so much speed and rarely misses a scoring opportunity. Playing on his line forced me to make quicker decisions and get up the ice faster in order to keep up with him.

Nick Bonino- Makes everyone around him better. His hands, vision, passing, and shooting makes him a threat everywhere on the ice.

Mark Goggin- Frustrating to play against because of how many chances he creates for himself. His puck protection is amazing and he always seems to find the back of the net.

Tommy Cross- Is so poised with the puck. He makes difficult plays look easy and slows the game down to his speed.

Zach Bogosian- He has everything going for him. He has great size and lays huge hits but also makes extremely good passes and has a heavy shot. You always have to know where he is on the ice.

McKeen's: You are from Wallingford, CT. Where did you play before attending Avon? What made you decide to go to Avon out of all the prep schools in CT?

Mullane: I played at Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, MA before going to Avon. I chose Avon because I felt extremely comfortable there and I had a few friends already going to Avon. I grew up going to Avon games with Lee Moffie and I knew that was where I wanted to play.

McKeen's: Describe your decision process in committing early to Boston College? And what are you looking forward most to playing at BC with legendary coach York?

Mullane: Boston College has always been my dream school. When I first visited campus, I knew it was the place I wanted to go. The coaching staff, players, and facilities, made the decision extremely easy. I'm looking forward to being apart of the Boston College legacy and playing in the Beanpot.

McKeen's: Any other schools in the mix?

Mullane: Quinnipiac, Yale, and Providence all offered. I was supposed to visit UNH but I knew BC was where I wanted to go so I canceled my visit.

McKeen's: You are finishing your junior year and since you are not scheduled to play for Boston College until 2009, are you planning to return to Avon?

Mullane: As of right now, I am going back to Avon next year. BC is known for having success coming out of the prep school ranks so I feel comfortable that I can pick up the speed of college hockey coming out of prep school.

McKeen's: What were your expectations coming into this season and does playing at a school like Avon have higher expectations than most schools every year?

Mullane: At the beginning of the year, I saw the talent and depth we had and I knew that anything less then another NE title would be disappointing. Avon does have higher expectations then most schools. We are always the team to beat and we enjoy having to come out everyday knowing every team will bring their best against us.

McKeen's: You recently won your second prep championship, what was the difference between last years and this year?

Mullane: I feel that this year's championship is more significant because of the role that I played. My sophomore year I was not a go to guy whereas this year I was relied upon in key situations and it makes the title that much more valuable.

McKeen's: What do you think about coach Gardner and the job he has done at Avon (7 prep championships – most of any prep school)?

Mullane: Coach Gardner knows the game so well and knows how to defend against everything. If we are being out played, he knows how to settle the team down and puts in a different game plan. He knows how to win.

McKeen's: Describe your summer? You play a lot of hockey or relax and workout? What do you focus on during off-season training?

Mullane: I do enjoy having fun in the summer but I realize that it's the time to make gains and if I don't get better then the competition will. I lift and skate three or four times a week with a lot of the D-1 guys from this area so it makes me push even harder.

McKeen's: The NHL Entry Draft will be coming up for you this year. Are you thinking about it at all?

Mullane: I do think about it but I try not to let it get in the way of my game. Being drafted would be a dream come true, but I try to go out every game and play my game. If I start thinking too much, then I lose focus and stop playing to my ability.

McKeen's: Is there any NHL team that you follow closely?

Mullane: I grew up being a Boston fan in every sport so I follow the Bruins pretty closely.

McKeen's: Which areas do you consider you have to improve to succeed at the next level in college and further?

Mullane: I feel I need to improve in the defensive zone and become more consistent with defensive zone coverage. I also feel that I need to start being opportunistic and burying my chances.

McKeen's: In 2006, you were a member of the USA U-17 Team B, what country did you play in and what was the experience like wearing the Team USA jersey?

Mullane: We played in Rochester, NY, which was a bit of a bummer because I would have loved to go overseas but the experience was incredible. Representing the United States and wearing the USA jersey is what every kid dreams about and it was an honor to be able to do that.

McKeen's Five Fun Questions:

1. What has been your best hockey moment so far? (Goal, hit, etc.)

Mullane: Playing for the U-17 team and winning back-to-back NE titles.

2. Best thing about your hometown Wallingford, CT?

Mullane: Having all my friends here.

3. Favorite actor/ actress?

Mullane: Adam Sandler

4. If you had your own theme song, what would it be?

Mullane: Welcome to the jungle by Guns and Roses

5. Best arena you played in?

Mullane: Pepsi Coliseum during the finals of the Quebec Pee Wee tournament.

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