A native of Orangeville, Ontario, Mitchell is 24 years old, but began his pro career in Iowa as a 21-year-old fresh out of the Ontario Hockey League.
After signing as a free agent with the Wild, Mitchell played 76 games and scored 35 points in his first season in Iowa.
In the three-plus years since, Mitchell has established himself both on the ice and in the community as a fan favorite.
"He's one of their guys," said Iowa coach Derek Lalonde. "It's a reality; you're gonna have the high-end guys here, the first-rounders, Joel Eriksson Ek had a cup of coffee here, Luke Kunin will spend some time here. But for someone to be there from the start, and to be there through the lows and now contributing there, I think fans in Des Moines can certainly relate to that."
Mitchell had taken incredibly well to the community in central Iowa and said he wouldn't be here in the NHL without the friends and the families in Des Moines that took him and his teammates in four years ago, and helped them become a part of their community.
"I've been there for a while," Mitchell said. "Three years is a long time, especially being early in the life of the franchise, it allowed me to have even more of an impact. I definitely think that there's people there cheering for me and I couldn't do it without those fans."
Mitchell's journey to the NHL has been blue collar all the way.
Undrafted, Mitchell had success in the OHL and built his game slowly with Iowa after signing with the Wild. He played in 11 games with Minnesota last season but didn't find the score sheet. But he did put himself on the organizational radar for this season.
With a rash of early injuries, Mitchell was one of the first players recalled. He earned an assist in the home opener against Columbus for his first NHL point, then scored his first goal 12 days later.
His first call-up lasted just five games. When he returned to Iowa, he went back a changed player, catching fire and helping the Iowa Wild get its season on track.
Since his latest recall in late November, Mitchell has played in 12 NHL games, even earning a few promotions in the lineup.
"For the [Wild Director of Player Development] Brad Bombardirs and the [Player Development Coach] Richard Parks of the world, this is what it's all about," Lalonde said. "[Mitchell is] a true developmental [success]. A free agent, comes into pro hockey and is now contributing with the big club."
The reason for Mitchell's success has been simple -- literally. The winger has tried to keep his game as simple as possible. In doing so, he has limited the number of mistakes, and has earned the trust of the coaching staff.
"When he gets to play, he's somebody a coach can trust," said Wild coach Bruce Boudreau. "He's a smart player. He's reliable and you know that when you put him on the ice, something bad is not going to happen."
That's by design. As a guy who has earned everything in the minors, Mitchell understands that even when he's called on to slot up in the lineup or even get a few shifts on the power play, it's that dependability that will help keep him in Minnesota.
For as fond as he is of the people of Des Moines, Mitchell is now where he wants to be.
"If [Boudreau is] worried about putting you out there against this line or that line, then it's going to be tough to get you out there," Mitchell said. "That's what you need to do if you're someone who is in my situation, you need to earn that trust."
