Chicago Blackhawks: Top 10 Prospects Entering 2018
4. Ian Mitchell, D [19 years old]
Stats:
University of Denver, NCAA – 41 gp, 2 g, 28 a, 30 p.
Ian Mitchell has top-four defenseman potential for the Chicago Blackhawks and would be a power-play quarterback for a team with a lot of offensive blueliners in the pipeline. He’s got the lowest ceiling of their top four defensive prospects, but that’s still quite high.
He’s going to be spending another season (at least) with the University of Denver before joining the Rockford Ice Hogs and making his professional debut and transition.
Related Story. Every Team's Mount Rushmore. light
Still, in his freshman season, Mitchell was tied for 12th in defensive scoring, 26th in points per game, and fourth in assists of any defenseman in the NCAA. He is not an excellent goal scorer (just two goals this season, a career high of eight in the AJHL), but he more than makes up for it in assists and playmaking. If that’s what he excels at, and he develops a good defensive game, he can be an excellent pairing for someone like the next two defensemen on the list.
Mitchell made the NCHC (University of Denver’s division) Rookie Team and helped lead the University of Denver to the NCHC Championship. Mitchell was also on the All-Tournament team. He really does have elite potential, especially if he’s able to grow as a player in the next two years. He’s one of the best second-round picks for the Chicago Blackhawks in years and could really become something.