Unlike most writers, I've never met an NHL owner I didn't like.



Mostly, I like them because, unlike hockey writers, who criticize them,
owners spend millions and millions of dollars on their hockey clubs.



Hockey writers don't even pay to get in.



One owner, who I got to know better than most, is no longer with us; and I am sad.



Very sad.



John McMullen, who brought the Devils to New Jersey, was as special a fellow that you'd ever want to meet.



He was an old-school owner with precious values � frankness, honesty,
integrity � that almost seemed obsolete by today's standards.



A Navy man and patron of the arts, Doc Mac came to hockey by way of baseball, where he had been owner of the Houston Astros.



His first five years in Jersey were excruciatingly painful. The
Devils not only missed the playoffs every year through 1986-87, but
they were physically abused by tough teams, especially Ed Snider's
Philadelphia Flyers.



During that period, the Devils could have skyrocketed into playoff
contention had they chosen to cheat � as some observers have insinuated
that the Pittsburgh Penguins did.



This was all about getting the greatest player since Wayne Gretzky; Mario Lemieux.



Le Magnifique was up for drafting in 1984 and, naturally the worst team
would get him. The Devils were neck-and-neck with Pittsburgh for
that last spot. Everyone knew that Lemieux would be a franchise
player for two decades.



There were two ways of getting Mario: 1. Legitimately; 2. Illegitimately.



Here's what happened: On January 15, 1984 the Devils had ten
wins. They would add seven more between mid-January and April 1,
when they concluded their campaign at home with a 3-1 loss to the
Bruins. Their 17-56-7 record game them a total of 41 points,
three more than the Penguins and the right to claim fifth place once
more in the Patrick Division.



In that period, from January until the end of the season, many urged
McMullen to have his coach play minor-leaguers and part-timers rather
than his best players.



As one confidante put it, "What's the point of trying to win if it means losing the chance to get Mario Lemieux?"

That seemed to be precisely what the Penguins were thinking. They
did bring up a bunch of humpties and they did manage to conspicuously
lose.



John McMullen would have none of that.



His philosophy always was that you play to win, no matter what.
He wouldn't think of having his coach, Tom McVie dump games. Both
McMullen and McVie dismissed any suggestions that the Devils target
Lemieux.



"We're here to try to win hockey games," McMullen said. "It's the honorable thing to do."



Critical wins over Pittsburgh on March 6 and Boston on Marh 17 insured
a fifth-place finish for New Jersey as the Penguins drowned down the
stretch. Mario Lemieux would not be a Devil but honor was on
McMullen and McVie's side.



The Devils wound up drafting Kirk Muller after Lemieux, and a lot of people still believe that Doc Mac blew it.



Of course, they're wrong.



The Penguins won two Stanley Cups with Mario. The Devils won three without him; plus their honor.



John McMullen was right.



He usually was and that's why we will miss him.

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