Dr. McMullen purchased the Colorado Rockies in 1982 and moved the franchise to the Meadowlands, renaming the team the New Jersey Devils after a fan vote, where they played through the 2006-07 season before relocating to Newark. Dr. McMullen presided over the Devils' first two Stanley Cup championships in 1995 and 2000, and was widely known as one of the most innovative owners in the NHL, paving the way for Soviet talent to enter the league. Prior to purchasing the Devils, Dr. McMullen was a limited partner of the New York Yankees. He was also the majority owner of the Houston Astros from 1979 to 1993.
A native of Montclair, N.J., Dr. McMullen received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, and served in the Navy from 1936 to 1954, rising to the rank of Commander. During his service, he earned a Master of Science degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from MIT and a Doctor of Mechanical Engineering degree from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.
Dr. McMullen, who passed away in 2005 at the age of 87, was represented by his wife, Jacqueline, his son, Peter, and additional family members during the on-ice ceremony on January 6, 2017 as he was celebrated as the team's first Ring of Honor inductee.