So, here we go! On our way to game 2, second round, Stanley Cup Playoffs, 2012. And of course everyone is talking about how great Kopitar, Brown, Quick and Voynov are. Helene Elliot extolled all their virtues today in the Los Angeles Times. But I have had my eye on Willie Mitchell for quite a while now. He’s big (6 ft 3), he’s strong and he’s a great looking guy. But what I was watching for was his mentoring skills. The fact that he is 34 and has played enough games here and in Canada makes him a perfect teacher for the younger players. Voynov is lucky to have him by his side. There is something about that quiet strength which seems to be overlooked by all the pundits. I can’t quote stats here because I don’t have the expertise that our gurus have . I leave all of that to Tracykingslover, Bev and HockeyJockey. But I do know that Mitchell has contributed mightily to every team he has played on. He just seems to do his job quietly and efficiently and never really gets the mention he deserves. I couldn’t even find a picture of him in a Kings uniform. The only ones I found was of him wearing a Vancouver Canucks outfit. I don’t want to ever see that here on our blog. Anyway, this is short and hopefully a sweet tribute to one of my favorite hockey players; that good Canadian defenseman, Willie Mitchell.
GO KINGS!!!
tracykingslover
April 29, 2012
I agree he is so important to our team. And he also is a go to guy on the history of concussions, etc. Hammond had a great article with him (sorry, can’t find it) and he talked about how a concussion not only is dangerous, but it affects a players livelihood. A team may not be inclined to offer up for an injured player – that is what happened to Willie. The Kings offered him a 2 yr contract when others wouldn’t. How great that we have someone like that to mentor our boys. So glad he signed with us for two more years.
PS> Found a great pic from last night’s game and I added to your article. Thanks!
The Recipe Seeker
April 29, 2012
Thanks for finding the pic. It’s great because it shows his size and strength. I knew about the concussion and what the canucks did in dropping him but I was only focusing on what he is doing for us right now. Who knows, maybe he’ll accidentally score another goal tomorrow. lol
tracykingslover
April 29, 2012
You know what? I think he has had the most goals of his career this season. I think we fit just perfectly together. I’d like to have his name on the cup when the Kings receive it this season.
Bev
April 29, 2012
I’m most deff. in on the Mitchell love. He quietly goes about his business hard checking others and has that tremendously hard shot. People seldom mention him because he’s not a big mouth crying for attention and that’s what makes him so special. Very important cog in the wheel of the Kings team. Also got to give some credit to Penner. That poor guy has taken so much crap from fans who just copy what each others say. Crap, they even hate to give him credit when he does do something outstanding. Guess that’s just the way of some people who have to have a whipping boy on every team. They also don’t want to go against what the majority are saying. Sheep following the leader.
These guys have only had the 2nd part of the season to gel like they have and look at how they’re looking now…….Proud as hell of them all and deep respect for Coach Sutter, even though I do kid abt his speech, love the guy. As for what he wears, long as he does his job with this team, I couldn’t care less if he showed up in shorts and a tank top.
tracykingslover
April 29, 2012
I especially liked the way Sutter handled the mental games with Hitchcock. It comforting to know he knows what he is doing in the coaching dept. Our team is doing well and hopefully it continues.
And I think you burned my corneas with a visual of Sutter in shorts and a tank top. LOL