The Chicago Blackhawks announced on Wednesday that they have signed defensemen Ian Mitchell to a three-year, entry-level contract. As cited by CapFriendly.com, the deal is worth $2.775 over three years with an AAV of $925,000. Mitchell’s deal is set to kick in at the start of the 2021-2022 regular season. However, deputy commissioner Bill Daly mentioned yesterday that contracts for this season can’t be signed so the deal would have to begin next season.
Blackhawks Add Defencemen
Mitchell spent the past three years at Denver and was the captain of the team last season. Over those three years, he put up 18 goals and 71 assists for 89 points. The 21-year-old did so while having played in 116 games. He was originally a second-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks back in 2017. The right-handed shooting defensemen was part of the team that won the National Championship over Minnesota-Duluth back in 2017.
Last season, Mitchell broke out and put up 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points in 36 games. Because of what he did with the Pioneers, Mitchell was promptly selected as a First-Team All-Star and First-Team All-American. The St. Albert, Alberta native was part of the 2019 Spengler Cup-winning team where he appeared in four games, putting up a goal and one assist in four games played.
If the NCAA ends up canceling their respective seasons next year, it would allow Mitchell to play in either the ECHL or AHL next season. However, if all college sports do resume, expect the Canadian defensemen to finish out his senior year with the Pioneers.