Howlings reported several weeks ago that John Mitchell had agreed to return to the Connecticut Whale. Well, the New York Rangers have now officially resigned the 26 year old forward to a one year deal.
Here’s the official release:
RANGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH FORWARD JOHN MITCHELL
New York, June 30, 2011 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with forward John Mitchell on a contract extension.
Mitchell, 26, skated in 24 contests with the Connecticut Whale and Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season, registering eight goals and nine assists for 17 points, along with 12 penalty minutes. He was acquired by the Rangers from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a seventh round draft pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft on February 28, 2011. Mitchell tallied the game-winning goal with 7.7 seconds remaining in regulation, and added an assist while making his Connecticut debut on March 2 vs. Springfield. He registered seven goals and five assists in 14 games with Connecticut. His plus-eight rating ranked third among all Whale skaters. In the playoffs, Mitchell tied for the Whale lead with three goals and six points in six contests. He also ranked second on Connecticut with two power play goals. In addition, Mitchell recorded three points (two goals, one assist) in 23 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season prior to his trade.
Mitchell has registered 20 goals and 35 assists for 55 points in 159 career regular season contests in three seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. As a rookie in 2008-09, he established career-highs in games played (76), goals (12), assists (17), points (29), penalty minutes (33), power play goals (two), and shots on goal (98). Mitchell made his NHL debut on October 9, 2008 at Detroit, and registered his first career point with an assist on October 13 vs. St. Louis. On November 1, 2008, he recorded a career-high, three points (two goals, one assist), including his first career goal, and posted a career-high, plus-four rating vs. the Rangers.
The 6-1, 204-pounder has skated in 229 career AHL contests in five seasons with the Connecticut Whale and St. Johns Maple Leafs/Toronto Marlies, registering 49 goals and 72 assists for 121 points, along with 136 penalty minutes. Mitchell established AHL career-highs in games played (79), goals (20), assists (31), points (51), penalty minutes (56), and shots on goal (167) during the 2007-08 season. He posted AHL career-highs with four assists and a plus-five rating on April 9, 2008 vs. Chicago. Mitchell made his professional debut on April 3, 2005 at Rochester. In addition, Mitchell has registered 11 goals and seven assists in 27 career AHL playoff games with the Whale and Marlies.
The Oakville, Ontario native was originally selected as Toronto’s fifth round choice, 158th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
