Mittelstadt led the USHL with 1.25 points per game in 2016-17, posting 30 points (13+17) in 24 games for the Green Bay Gamblers. He also ranked second among Gamblers skaters in game-winning goals (4) and power-play assists (13) despite playing in fewer than half of the team's games.
A native of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Mittelstadt also played 25 games for Eden Prairie High last season, where he posted a team-high 64 points (21+43) and was named Minnesota's Mr. Hockey, given annually to the most outstanding high school player in Minnesota.
He was really excited to meet new Sabres coach Phil Housley, a Minnesota high school hockey prodigy back in his day. From Jourdon LaBarber's recap last night:
But really, could there be a more fitting pick for an organization that just recently hired a Minnesota high school legend as its head coach than the Minnesota boy who chose to return to Eden Prairie High as a senior last season for one last shot at a state title? Mittelstadt was greeted by Phil Housley on stage, and meeting him was enough to bring a smile to his face.
"That's awesome," he said. "I just met him for the first time five minutes ago. Being able to meet him was obviously an honor. He's done pretty much everything you can in hockey and being from Minny is just kind of a cherry on top."
Internationally, Mittelstadt won a bronze medal for the United States at the 2016 IIHF World U18 Championship, where he tied for sixth in tournament scoring with nine points (4+5) in seven games. Will we see him suit up in Buffalo for Team USA at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship in December? We'll see.
He started the season in Green Bay, but decided to go back to play with his high school team in order to compete for a coveted state championship. His team, however, was bounced in the semifinal round of the state tournament. He returned to Green Bay and racked up six points in three games during his first week back.
To find out why the desire to win that state title was so important to him, check out this story from Jourdon.