6th year Washington Capitals‘ right wing and current 2-time captain of affiliate Hershey Bears, Garrett Mitchell(76) finally earns his first NHL recall and makes his debut on the last game of regular season.
The feisty, hard-checking forward skated 13 shifts for 8:48 total ice time delivering two hits with a 0 rating in 2-0 loss.
He’s not likely to stay with the parent club as the farm club is fighting for their playoff life with only a few match-ups remaining.
In 352 AHL games he has 46 goals and 56 assists with a -4 and 560 penalty minutes, although he averages only 6 or so fights each year.
The 25-year is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the current calendar.
He’s seems like a good guy to keep around but he may look elsewhere for increased playing time in the big league.
Garrett Mitchell (36) Hershey Bears
Heading into his fifth season, Washington keeps the speedy, aggressive skating forward for another 2-years inking him to an extension through 2016/2017.
He’s been the club’s assistant captain for the last two seasons and although his numbers dipped to half of what he was able to score in his sophomore campaign, he’s always a pesky presence on the ice.
The 23-year old also suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery and put him on the sidelines for the second half of the final year of his entry level deal but was still offered another shot with an additional year.
He will likely get the opportunity to prove what he can do in the NHL sooner than later.
Garrett Mitchell (36)
Washington Capitals‘ 2nd year right wing Garrett Mitchell(36) looks to be blowing out his rookie season AHL totals as he already has a career high 7 goals and is well on his way in the assists department with 6. He’s also a +7 plus/minus.
The 5’11” 195 lbs. forward was a 6th round pick in the 2009 draft (#175 overall) and looks to be on a bit of a tear, looking to prove his game.
He signed a three-year entry level deal that keeps him in the system through 2014 but it would be little surprise to see his contract extended early.
Obviously leadership is a quality coaches and management believe the 21-year old brings to the table as he wears the assistant captain letter on his Hershey Bears‘ sweater.