Andy Mulligan (ice hockey)

Andrew Mulligan (February 12, 1906 – May 26, 1984) was a Canadian–American ice hockey player, coach, and executive who was the manager of the Toledo Sports Arena 1950 to 1973, general manager of the Toledo Mercurys from its founding in 1947 until it folded in 1962, and commissioner of the International Hockey League from 1962 to 1969.

Andy Mulligan
Born (1906-02-12)February 12, 1906
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Died May 26, 1984(1984-05-26) (aged 78)
Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position Defenseman
Played for Regina Capitals
St. Paul Saints
Chicago Shamrocks
St. Louis Flyers
Saskatoon Crescents
Duluth Natives
St. Paul Greyhounds
Boston Cubs
Providence Reds
Minneapolis Millers
Kansas City Greyhounds
Toledo Babcocks
Coached for Toledo Babcocks
Toledo Mercurys
Playing career 1927–1942
Coaching career 1940–1950

Playing career

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Mulligan was born on February 12, 1906, in Winnipeg.[1] He played junior hockey for the University of Manitoba and Winnipeg Rangers.[2] He passed on medical school to pursue a professional hockey career.[3]

Mulligan played professionally in the Prairie Hockey League (Regina Capitals), American Hockey Association (St. Paul Saints, Chicago Shamrocks, St. Louis Flyers, St. Paul Greyhounds, Minneapolis Millers, and Kansas City Greyhounds), Western Canada Hockey League (Saskatoon Crescents), Central Hockey League (Duluth Natives), Canadian–American Hockey League (Boston Cubs and Providence Reds), and Michigan Ontario Hockey League (Toledo Babcocks) from 1927 to 1942.[1]

During his professional career, Mulligan supplemented his income by working for a railroad in Canada. When World War II created a lack of playing opportunities, Mulligan worked for the railroad full time, rising to the position of assistant yardmaster.[3]

Coaching

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Mulligan began his coaching career in 1940 as the player–coach of the Toledo Babcocks.[1] In 1941 he became the head coach of the St. James Canadians junior hockey team.[4]

In 1947, Mulligan returned to Toledo as the head coach and business manager of the expansion Toledo Mercurys of the International Hockey League.[5] The Mercurys won the Turner Cup in their first year of existence.[1] He remained head coach until 1950, when he became manager of the Toledo Sports Arena.[6]

Management

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In 1962, Toledo surrendered its IHL franchise and Mulligan was appointed commissioner of the league.[7] He stepped down as commissioner after the 1968–69 season, but continued to manage the Sports Arena until 1973.[8][3] In 1974, Mulligan helped secure an IHL expansion team for the city of Toledo as the representative for an ownership group led by Virgil Gladieux.[9] He served as a consultant for the Toledo Goaldiggers for four seasons.[3]

Death

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Mulligan died on May 26, 1984, after a brief illness. He was predeceased by his wife, Millie, who was the box office manager for the Sports Arena for 22 years.[3]

Career statistics

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Playing statistics

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Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM
1926–27 Regina Capitals PHL 25 3 0 3 2
1927–28 Regina Capitals PHL 28 14 5 19 51
1928–29 St. Paul Saints AHA 34 4 5 9 25
1929–30 St. Paul Saints AHA 46 3 7 10 55
1930–31 Chicago Shamrocks AHA 45 4 3 7 31
1931–32 St. Louis Flyers AHA 47 5 2 7 30
1932–33 Saskatoon Crescents WCHL 21 11 6 17 4
1932–33 Duluth Natives CHL 3 1 1 2 2
1932–33 St. Paul Greyhounds AHA 4 0 0 0 2
1933–34 Boston Cubs CAHL 11 0 0 0 0
1933–34 Providence Reds CAHL -- 4 5 9 38
1934–35 Providence Reds CAHL -- 7 7 14 61
1935–36 Providence Reds CAHL -- 3 7 10 35
1936–37 Minneapolis Millers AHA 47 2 10 12 40
1937–38 Minneapolis Millers AHA 48 8 16 24 38
1938–39 Minneapolis Millers AHA 48 6 11 17 45
1939–40 Kansas City Greyhounds AHA 48 3 5 8 21
1940–41 Toledo Babcocks MOHL -- 4 10 14 23
1941–42 St. Paul Saints AHA 1 0 0 0 0
AHA totals 368 35 70 105 287
CAHL totals -- 14 19 33 134
PHL totals 53 17 5 22 53
MOHL totals -- 4 10 14 23
WCHL totals 21 11 6 17 4
CHL totals 3 1 1 2 2

Coaching record

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Team Year Regular season Post season
G W L T Pts Division Rank Result
Toledo Babcocks 1940–41 27 13 12 2 28 3rd in MOHL Lost in first round
Toledo Mercurys 1947–48 30 15 10 5 35 2nd in IL Won Turner Cup
Toledo Mercurys North 1948–49 35 20 7 8 48 1st in North Did Not Participate
Toledo Mercurys South 1948–49 32 21 7 4 46 2nd in South Lost Turner Cup finals
Toledo Buckeyes 1949–50 51 26 13 12 64 2nd in East N/A
Total 175 95 49 31 381

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Andy Mulligan". hockeyDB. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Regina Trying Out Another Candidate". The Calgary Daily Herald. January 6, 1927. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Andy Mulligan; Local Sports Executive, Longtime Civic Leader". Toledo Blade. September 4, 1984. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Mulligan to Coach St. James Team". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. September 19, 1941. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Extend I.A.H.L.? It Says So Here". The Windsor Daily Star. September 27, 1947. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Toledo Sports Passed In Review". Toledo Blade. December 24, 1950. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Mulligan Aiming for Hockey Return". Toledo Blade. December 1, 1962. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  8. ^ Gugger, John (April 11, 1969). "Mulligan Won't Seek Re-Election As IL Boss". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  9. ^ Gugger, John (May 27, 1974). "Hockey Job In Toledo Is Ted Garvin's For The Asking". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 3 January 2024.