The Eden Prairie, Minnesota native had an unconventional draft year that had him splitting his season between high school hockey and the USHL. Usually, playing high school hockey in your draft eligible season isn't a good way to make a name for yourself simply because the skill level is a such a drastic step down compared to major junior that it creates doubt in the players game. But the reasoning for Mittelstadt to play at that level for part of the season could actually be taken as positive, showing what kind of player he is.
Growing up in Minnesota, the high school hockey tournament is a must for any player. They grow up with dreams of capturing that title. For Mittelstadt, despite putting up 9 points in three games during the tournament in 2015-16, the Eden Prairie Eagles lost in the finals. That left him and his teammates wanting more. So rather than taking the easy path in his NHL draft eligible season, Mittelstadt adjusted his season to try and help his high school team capture the title this year.
He started the season in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers, then went back to Eden Prairie from November until March. Unfortunately, despite Mittelstadt's best efforts, the Eagles were unable to capture the title.
After the disappointing outcome, Mittelstadt went back to the USHL and picked up right where he left off. The easier route would've been to commit to the USHL for the year or to head to the NCAA a season early but returning to high school level hockey to try and capture a title with his old teammates shows what kind of character the young pivot has. He wants to win so badly, that he is willing to do anything to make it happen.