The Pittsburgh Penguins’ organizational history has a plethora of great players, and we’ve decided to go through the best Penguins’ players to wear each jersey number. Today, we continue the list by naming the best #22 in Penguins’ history.
Twenty-eight total players in Penguins’ history have worn #22, including Paul Stanton, Bob Kelly, Greg Polis, and even Rick Tocchet (although he sported another number that we’ll get to later).
Although all those guys were good players – and one may come along later in this series – this one goes to Mike “Bully” Bullard.
Bullard – nicknamed somewhat appropriately and known for sporting a mullet and handlebar mustache – was drafted 9th overall in 1980 by the Penguins, and he played for Pittsburgh from 1980-86. He was a goal-scorer who also wasn’t afraid to drop the gloves and, at times, play on the edge. Bullard had some great seasons for the Penguins – including a 51-goal, 92-point campaign in 1983-84, which was a season before Mario Lemieux arrived.
He was also known for a general nastiness that endeared him to some fans but drew the ire of opposing teams:
But it shouldn’t be lost on “Bully” that he simply knew how to put the puck in the net as well. Over the course of his seven-year career with the Penguins, he registered 185 goals and 350 points in 382 games, including four seasons of at least 30 goals and two seasons above point-per-game.
He also got to spend some time playing with Lemieux in the latter years of his Penguins’ career:
And to top it all off: The end of his Penguins’ career was met with some controversy.
It was well-documented that Bullard, the team captain, was frequently in trouble with the team. He’d stay out after curfew on road trips, had a DUI charge, and was, at times, generally difficult to work with. On November 11, 1986, the Penguins stripped Bullard of his captaincy after being kicked out of practice the same day, which he did not take very kindly to – and neither did then-GM Eddie Johnston, who made trade calls to, allegedly, every NHL team.
The very next day, Bullard was traded to the Calgary Flames for center Dan Quinn. He went on to have two excellent seasons for the Flames, including a 48-goal, 103-point season in 1987-88. During his two seasons there, he scored a combined 76 goals and 157 points in 136 games.
He was traded to the St. Louis Blues the following summer, and he played for the Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs in subsequent seasons before retiring after the 1991-92 season.
Over the course of his 11-year NHL career, Bullard recorded 329 and 674 points in 727 games.
Honorable Mentions: Paul Stanton, Bob Kelly, Greg Polis
Related: Best Penguins by Jersey Number: #21
Related: Best Penguins by Jersey Number: #20
Related: Best Penguins by Jersey Number: #19
