Taking advantage of an opportunity
November 9th, 2009 | by jays1992 |John Mitchell represents a rarity in the Leaf lineup. He was drafted in the 5th round (158th overall in the 2003 draft) and has worked his way up from the minors to earn a spot with the big club.
He spent three full seasons in the minors with the Marlies and the Leaf brass had to notice the steady rise in his productivity during that period. His scoring totals went from 17 to 36 and then, 51 points before he made it to the Leaf roster last season.
He started slowly with the Leafs, too, but once he scored his first two goals, in the same game, his confidence rose and he wound up chipping in 12 goals and 17 assists over 76 games.
This season, he began on the third line and wasn’t really generating much offense. His size (6’1”, 195 lbs) and speed has not gone unnoticed, though. With the struggles of centers Matt Stajan and Mikhail Grabovski, Coach Ron Wilson has turned to Mitchell, inserting him onto the top line, between Phil Kessel and Jason Blake. He has clicked with them right away and is proving to be a nice fit between these two stylish but smallish wingers. He has responded by producing a goal in each of his two games, since taking on this role.
The Leafs have also won both games, so don’t look for the lineup to change.
At the very least, Mitchell is upping the ante, in terms of internal competition on this roster and that is a good thing, which can only point to progress for the improved play of the Maple Leafs.
Tags: John Mitchell
