Ian Mitchell excited to get a second chance to play for Bruins coach Jim Montgomery - The Boston Globe
Mitchell, a defenseman acquired from the Blackhawks last month, played one season under Montgomery at the University of Denver.
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When he went off to college at age 18, Ian Mitchell was understandably excited and eager to begin his NCAA career. A Western Canada kid, he chose the University of Denver over an offer to play for the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League, and the opportunity to play for coach Jim Montgomery was a main factor.
“Absolutely loved him — the best coach I ever had, without a doubt,” recalled Mitchell, who was acquired by the Bruins last month in the deal that sent Taylor Hall to the Blackhawks. “Hopefully I’ll have the chance to be reunited with him now. When I got the trade call, I couldn’t have been more excited. Great person. Great coach. I’ve got nothing but great things to say about what Monty’s meant to my career to this point.”
Mitchell, who this past week avoided salary arbitration by signing a one-year contract extension (one way, $775,000), played one season under Montgomery’s tutelage at Denver. Montgomery left after the 2017-18 season for his first crack at NHL coaching, hired as the Stars’ bench boss.
Mitchell, a 24-year-old right-shot defenseman, grew up in the small town of Calahoo, Alberta, some 45 minutes outside Edmonton. In April of Mitchell’s freshman year, three of his friends from home, all members of the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team, were among 16 on the team bus to die following a horrific highway accident in Saskatchewan.
Only 19 at the time, Mitchell lost his closest pal, right wing Logan Hunter, along with left wing Conner Lukan and goalie Parker Tobin.
“All of us from Alberta . . . and all grew up kind of playing together,” Mitchell recalled recently. “Just a terrible event.”
In order to help Mitchell deal with his grief, Montgomery and his wife, Emily, welcomed him into their home. It served to underscore Mitchell’s belief that Montgomery cared as much about his players as people as he did their being part of the team.
“Right after the crash happened, he invited me over to his house to stay there for a few days, just to get me out of the dorms and be around family,” Mitchell said. “I’ll never forget what that scene was like, and what he did for me in a very difficult time in my life. Off the ice . . . his support of me has been immeasurable.”
Montgomery, the NHL’s coach of the year for 2022-23, was aware that the front office had Mitchell on their radar in the days leading up to the Hall trade.
“I gave [general manager Don Sweeney] my thoughts,” said Montgomery. “I told him, ‘Yeah, I’d like to work with [Mitchell] again.’ ”
Montgomery’s thumbnail profile of Mitchell: “A high-character person, high hockey sense, high compete, and a real good skater . . . he’s going to fit in well with the Bruins culture. A smart, skilled defenseman who moves the puck really well. It might take him a while. I don’t know how long before he gets to Boston, but he’s going to be a good one for us.”
Drafted 57th overall in 2017, Mitchell played three seasons with the Pioneers before turning pro in the spring of 2020. He spent most of his first pro season on the varsity blue line, played sparingly his second season, then was back in Chicago full time last season, though was hindered by a wrist injury for the first two months. Coached by Luke Richardson, Mitchell spent most of his time at five-on-five and helped on the power play.
When training camp opens in Brighton on Sept. 20, Mitchell will be vying for time on the No. 3 defense pairing, which currently projects to have Derek Forbort on the left and veteran free agent pickup Kevin Shattenkirk on the right. Others in the mix include Jakub Zboril, Alec Regula (obtained in the same trade as Mitchell) and possibly ex-Harvard standout Reilly Walsh (acquired from New Jersey). No shortage of candidates.
Mitchell, 5 foot 11 inches and 193 pounds, figures his skating and puck-moving skills are his calling card. He trains summers in Denver, joined there by Bruin Brandon Carlo and other NHLers, including Denver alums Troy Terry, Scott Mayfield, and Will Butcher. He plans to pack up at the start of September for the move to Boston.
“Everyone tells me I’m going to love it,” Mitchell said, his prior visits here only brief. “I’m excited to get going.”
