Family, friends and fans of the Phoenix Coyotes received the wonderful news tonight that Peter Mueller, missing since early last winter, has safely returned to Jobing.com Aren

Mueller, who had reportedly been sighted many times in the last year, only to have those reports turn out to be incorrect, showed up at tonight's game between the Coyotes and Blackhawk

While early on Mueller tended to get lost in the crowd of players on the ice, causing many to believe this was another false sighting, he suddenly reappeared in the front of the net, by himself, and beat Chicago goalie Christobal Huet, bringing the crowd to its feet. Mueller's goal put the Coyotes up 2-0, and they would go on to win, 3-1.

"We're so happy to have Petey back," a beaming Uncle Shane Doan said after the game. "We never gave up hope he'd be returned to us, and we'll do everything in our power to keep him with us and safe."

Cousin Radim Vrbata, who had his best NHL season in Phoenix in 2007 and who played with the then-rookie Mueller who broke into the league and recorded 54 points, shared Uncle Shane's excitement. "I missed Peter since my return this year and kept hoping he'd return. Watching him tonight was like a flashback to two years ago when he was an up-and-coming star in this league. It's all up from here"

Mueller had few words to say after the game, other than how happy he was to be home. The last year has been quite an ordeal, he said, but he has a sense of renewed hope after tonight that he'll be able to recapture the magic that was his rookie season.

Mueller will join his teammates for the short trip to Anaheim for a Saturday game with the Ducks.