New York, February 28, 2011 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has acquired forward John Mitchell from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a seventh round draft pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Mitchell will report to the Connecticut Whale (AHL).
Mitchell, 26, has registered 20 goals and 35 assists for 55 points in 159 career regular season contests in three seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. As a rookie in 2008-09, Mitchell established career-highs in games played (76), goals (12), assists (17), points (29), penalty minutes (33), power play goals (two), and shots on goal (98). He made his NHL debut on October 9, 2008 at Detroit, and registered his first career point with an assist on October 13 vs. St. Louis. On November 1, 2008, Mitchell recorded a career-high, three points (two goals, one assist), including his first career goal, and posted a career-high, plus-four rating vs. the Rangers. The Oakville, Ontario native has registered two goals and one assist in 23 games with Toronto this season. Mitchell has also recorded one goal and four assists in 10 AHL games with the Toronto Marlies this season.
The 6-1, 204-pounder has skated in 215 career AHL contests in five seasons with the St. Johns Maple Leafs/Toronto Marlies, registering 42 goals and 67 assists for 109 points, along with 126 penalty minutes. Mitchell established AHL career-highs in games played (79), goals (20), assists (31), points (51), penalty minutes (56), and shots on goal (167) during the 2007-08 season. He led the Marlies in goals, ranked second in points, and third in assists and shots. He posted AHL career-highs with four assists and a plus-five rating on April 9, 2008 vs. Chicago. Mitchell made his professional debut on April 3, 2005 at Rochester. He has also registered eight goals and four assists in 21 career AHL playoff games with the Marlies.
Prior to turning professional, Mitchell skated in 258 career regular season games in four season with the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), registering 80 goals and 150 assists for 230 points, along with 158 penalty minutes and a plus-47 rating. He led Plymouth in assists and points during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons, and established career-highs in goals (28), assists (54) and points (82) in 2003-04. Mitchell also recorded 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points, along with 18 penalty minutes in 37 career OHL playoff contests.
Mitchell was originally selected as Toronto’s fifth round choice, 158th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
