Probably the most asked question around the Denver hockey program the past two years received its answer Monday morning.

Yes Pioneer Nation, captain Ian Mitchell has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, thus foregoing his senior season in crimson and gold.

The departure of Mitchell, whom the Blackhawks selected in the second round (57th overall) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, has been a source of speculation for more than a year. Chicago tried hard to sign the defenseman after his sophomore season, but Mitchell announced shortly after the Pioneers’ run to the 2019 Frozen Four that he wasn’t going anywhere.

He almost immediately was installed as captain and went on to have his best season, piling up career highs in points (32) and goals (10) in 36 games in this short-circuited NCAA season. The goals exceeded the total of his first two seasons at DU combined.

“We want to congratulate Ian on his signing with Chicago,” DU coach David Carle said. “We thank him for his three years of service to our University and hockey program. He always did the right thing, he put others before himself and he was a model citizen for all to follow. We wish him the best of luck on the next chapter of his career.”

HELLO I MUST BE GOING

Recent early departures from DU

• 2020 – G Devin Cooley (Nashville); D Ian Mitchell (junior), Chicago; Emilio Pettersen (Calgary)
• 2019 – G Filip Larsson (freshman), Detroit
• 2018 – F Henrik Borgstrom (sophomore), Florida; F Dylan Gambrell (junior), San Jose; D Blake Hillman (junior), Chicago; F Logan O’Connor (junior), Colorado; F Troy Terry (junior), Anaheim
• 2017 – None
• 2016 – F Danton Heinen (sophomore), Boston; F Trevor Moore (junior), Toronto

The college hockey world took note, and Mitchell was selected a first-team West All-American over the weekend. That came on the heels of being picked to the NCHC’s first team. He also was a finalist for the league’s top offensive defenseman award.

Mitchell, who finished with 89 points in 116 career NCAA games, was honored by the league each of his three seasons. He was an all-Rookie pick as a freshman and a second-team all-league selection last season, when he also was an assistant captain for DU.

One of Mitchell’s hallmarks was his discipline, and that was evidenced off and on the ice. His work ethic in the weight room and in enfolding and encouraging teammates led him to being voted the team’s most inspirational player. On the ice, he took just 24 penalty minutes in his career, or about one minor every 10 games or so. He could play hard and fast but within the rules.

“Losing Mitchy hurts – he was our leader and our best player,” said rising senior Kohen Olischefski, who will succeed his classmate as captain it was announced later Monday. “I learned a lot from him.”

Mitchell’s work ethic also was apparent in the classroom. He was selected an American Hockey Coaches Association All-American Scholar and three times he was named an NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete (3.5 gpa or higher).

His 32 points this season sixth among NCAA defensemen and second only to Hobey Baker Award winner Scott Perunovich of Minnesota Duluth among NCHC defensemen.

He also has represented Canada several times in international competition, starting at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the World Junior A Challenge in 2017, the World Junior Championship and the Spengler Cup in 2019.

(As of this writing, the Blackhawks did not respond to requests for an interview with Mitchell).

In addition to Olischefski, the Pioneers chose fellow rising seniors Ryan Barrow and Griffin Mendel (often Mitchell’s D parter) as assistant captains.

“Mitchy is an unbelievable player,” Barrow said. “He’s worked hard, he deserves this. We’re super proud of him as a class. It’s hard to say this, but it was time for him.”

The departure’s impact

Mitchell’s exodus, combined with the upcoming graduations of seniors Michael Davies and Erich Fear will leave Denver with just four returning blue liners who played significant minutes.

In addition to Mendel, the group includes rising juniors Slava Demin and Kyle Mayhew and rising sophomore Justin Lee. Lane Krenzen rarely played as a freshman but figures to play a more prominent role going forward.

The Pioneers have incoming freshmen defensemen, Josh Luedtke, Reid Irwin and Antti Tuomisto. Tuomisto was a second-round draft pick (35th overall) of the Detroit Red Wings in 2019 and is considered the headliner of the group by scouts. Luedtke played in the USHL this past season, while Irwin played in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, the same league that Mitchell prepped for DU in.

©First Line Editorial 2020