Mitchell, 21, spent the 2019-20 season as captain of the University of Denver, where he recorded 32 points (10G, 22A) in 36 games.
Finally, the wait is over. The Chicago Blackhawks have reportedly agreed to terms with defenseman prospect Ian Mitchell on an entry-level contract. A huge sigh of relief for many Blackhawks fans out there.
Mitchell has spent the last three years playing college hockey with the University of Denver Pioneers. In 2017-18, Mitchell tallied two goals and 28 assists in 41 games as a freshman to help the Pioneers win a national championship. The St. Albert, Alberta native followed that up with 27 points (6G, 21A) in his sophomore campaign and appeared ready to make the jump to professional hockey.
But Mitchell surprised a lot of people by returning to Denver for his junior year. The Blackhawks’ 2017 second-round (57th overall) pick was determined to win his second national championship in three seasons before the NCAA’s season was tragically cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Still, Mitchell had quite an impressive season as captain of the Pioneers. The 5-foot-11, 174-pound blueliner set a career-high in goals (10) and points (32) in 36 games. Denver was also ranked sixth in the national rankings with a 21-9-6 record when the season was cancelled.
“He dominated the games I saw at Denver this year,” GM Stan Bowman said. “He’s such a good skater, very involved in the play. He does a little bit of everything for that team as their captain. I think it bodes well how he’s going to transition to the NHL. I think his game lines up exactly how we want to play. He’s a fun player to watch.”
Mitchell will join a crowded blue line in Chicago, as the Blackhawks currently have Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Calvin de Haan, Olli Maatta, Connor Murphy, Adam Boqvist, Nick Seeler, Lucas Carlsson, Nicolas Beaudin, and Dennis Gilbert all signed through next season. There isn’t a lot of room there, but Mitchell has the talent to make the team out of training camp… if there is one.
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