In an announcement coming from TSN hockey analyst Bob McKenzie Friday night, Team Canada’s World Junior Tournament defenseman were announced that includes Chicago Blackhawks 2017 2nd round pick Ian Mitchell. The University of Denver Pioneer will be joined by fellow high profile defensive prospects Noah Dobson, Evan Bouchard, Josh Brook, Ty Smith, Jared McIsaac, and Markus Phillips. One of the players who did not make the final cut was Blackhawks 2018 1st round pick Nicholas Beaudin.
Team Canada looks to have selected a combination on heavy and versatile defenseman to round out their roster going into the tournament. A big advantage of keeping Mitchell on the roster is most likely his ability to lead the Team Canada powerplay. Mitchell’s a great facilitator on special teams and there is no doubt he will be successful. He’s responsible in his own zone and has one of the best first passes in college hockey.
Mitchell is in his second season at Denver and is taking on a much larger role this season with the departures of Henrik Borgstrom, Dylan Gambrell, and Troy Terry. In 14 games this season, Mitchell has two goals and nine assists helping the Pioneers to a 8-4-2 record this season.
Earlier this year, The-Rink caught up with Mitchell to talk about the growth of his game this season.
.@DU_Hockey defenseman @IanMitch15 on the growth of his game this season and facing @SCSUHUSKIES_MH next week #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/XAqzOsQFsX
— Aaron Goldschmidt (@lateinthegoldie) November 4, 2018
For more on Ian Mitchell and other Blackhawks prospects playing in the World Junior Tournament, be sure to check back in with The-Rink.com.