By Jordan Long
The Chicago Blackhawks inked a deal with one of their top prospects, Ian Mitchell, in April. It is an entry-level contract. There was the possibility he could join the Blackhawks for the NHL restart, but they have decided against it. The Blackhawks didn’t want to burn a year of his entry-level contract if he were to play in the NHL restart.
Mitchell was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2nd-round of the 2017 NHL draft. Instead of going right to the NHL, he picked to play his college hockey at the University of Denver to improve his game. In his collegiate career, he scored 18 goals and added 71 assists for a total of 89 points. With him playing the point, the University of Denver went to the NCAA tournament every year except this season. Denver only made one Frozen Four Finals appearance, 2019. They lost to the University of Massachusetts by the score of 4-3.
This year Mitchell was having one of his top years for Denver. He scored 10 goals while adding 22 assists for a total of 32 points. With his help, DU was well on their way to another NCAA appearance finishing with a record in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference of 11 wins, 8 losses, 5 ties for a total of 42 points before the COVID 19 Pandemic wiped away the year.
Mitchell is ready for the NHL level. The Blackhawks were smart to let him wait until the start of next season. Chicago is in the qualifying round against the Oilers in the best of 5. That could last only 3 games. It wouldn’t make much sense for him to play in a handful of games.
Next year, the NHL should be aware of Mitchell. He is a fast skater who can knock opponents off the puck, block shots, and be an offensive defenseman. If Mitchell plays like he did for the University of Denver, he might be in the conversation for the Calder Memorial Trophy for NHL Rookie Of The Year.
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