LOS ANGELES The Los Angeles Kings have signed University of Denver free agent defenseman Patrick Mullen (Pittsburgh, Pa.) to a two-year entry-level contract, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced Friday.

Mullen, 22, recently concluded his senior season at DU and recorded 25 points (4-21=25) and 39 penalty minutes in 38 games. His 21 assists were tied for fourth on the team while his 22 points set a collegiate career high. The 5-11, 190-pounder helped the Pioneers to a 23-12-5 record and a berth in the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament (DU was eliminated from tournament play last weekend).

In four seasons with the Pioneers, Mullen recorded 81 points (20-61=81) and 148 penalty minutes in 152 games, splitting time as a forward and defenseman. In 2007-08, he led DU defensemen with 22 points (4-18=22), which was tied for sixth among WCHA blueliners. His 18 assists were tops overall on the Pioneers. Mullen was named to the All-WCHA Academic Team in 2007 and 2009.

“Patrick made significant contributions to our team as a defenseman this season,” DU head coach George Gwozdecky said. “He’s really evolved as a defenseman and the sky is the limit for his ability at the professional level. We wish him all the best during his pro hockey career.”

Mullen skated with the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) during the 2004-05 season, posting 37 points (14-23=37), eight penalty minutes and a plus-11 rating in 60 games.

Mullen’s father, Joey, played in the NHL for 16 seasons with four different teams. The first American-born hockey player to score 500 goals and register 1,000 points, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000.