Salmon Kings welcome Esselmont and Mullen

Published on January 28, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC – The Victoria Salmon Kings announce the signing of two new blue-liners. Joining the Salmon Kings is veteran defensemen Ryan Esselmont and Dennis Mullen.

30 year old Esselmont has played six seasons of professional hockey in North America and Europe. His hockey career began in the BCHL with the Bellingham Ice Hawks in the 1991-92 season. He then played three seasons with the Kelowna Spartans (BCHL). His best season of junior hockey was 1994-95, when he scored 24 goals and 56 assists for 80 points in 60 games.

6'0 195 lbs, Esselmont, began his college career at Northern Michigan University (NCAA) before moving to the University of Calgary (CIS) where he played from 1996-98. Esselmont's professional career began in the Central Hockey League where he played for the Huntsville Channel Cats and the Memphis Riverkings.

Esselmont, a native of Kamloops, BC, played two season's with the Anchorage Aces in the West Coast Hockey League, and has spent the last three season's in the United Hockey League with the Elmira Jackals, Richmond Riverdogs and the Missouri River Otters.

Dennis Mullen joins the Salmon Kings after taking the 2003-04 season off from professional hockey.

The 6'0, 185 lbs native of Bonnyville, AB has played five seasons in the professional ranks. Mullen has played with the San Diego Gulls, Arkansas River Blades, Macon Whoopee, Mobile Mysticks, Dayton Bombers, Jackson Bandits and Jacksonville Lizard Kings of the ECHL and the Tucson Gila Monsters of the WCHL.

27 year old Mullen, played junior hockey in the Western League for the Calgary Hitmen, Saskatoon Blades, Prince George Cougars and the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Mullen best season in junior was 1996-97 with the Cougars when he scored 9 goals and 20 assists for 29 points in 56 games.

The addition of Esselmont and Mullen will strengthen the Salmon Kings team defense which has been hammered by injuries of late. Three starters, Brad Dexter, Corey Smith and Aaron Plumb, are on the 30 day injured reserve, and regular Jim Gattolliat, is on the 7 day injured reserve.

The Salmon Kings have released defenseman Rob MacGregor. MacGregor joined the Salmon Kings on January 11, 2005 and played in 9 games finishing with a goal and no assists, he was minus 1 with 4 minutes in penalties.

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