Mueller hits No.10

Published 6:31 pm Friday, November 2, 2007

Peter Mueller is on the ice for the Phoenix Coyotes tonight. That makes it 10 NHL games for the former Silvertip star this season. Therefore, Mueller’s rookie contract is now in effect, and it’s virtually certain he won’t be returning to Everett this season.

I’m happy for Peter. Yes, I know he hasn’t exactly received glowing reports for his play so far. But I know he was determined to make the bigs this season, and I’m glad he’s getting his chance. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts to settle in now that he can feel more secure in his position. If you remember two years ago, he needed a few games for the Tips before he started showing what he could do. The gap between the WHL and the NHL is much larger than the gap between the US National Development Program to the WHL, so naturally it’s going to take a little longer to adjust.

And this is a monumental moment in Silvertips history. Yes, Michael Wall may have been the first former Everett player to appear in the NHL. But Mueller is the first true NHL player to come out of Everett. And he has a chance to be more than just another NHLer, he has a chance to be a star. I’m looking forward to the possibility of some day being able to point at an NHL star and be able to say, “I remember watching that guy play when back when he used to play Guitar Hero in his spare time.”

So congratulations Mr. Mueller, and good luck with the rest of your NHL career.