AFTER FURTHER REVIEW ��� ZACK MITCHELL
May 11, 2016AFTER FURTHER REVIEW – ZACK MITCHELL
2015-16 was a solid encore performance by forward Zack Mitchell after an impressive rookie campaign in 2014-15. As a rookie, Mitchell set team marks for games played, goals, assists and points. He also became only the second player in team history to play in all 76 games – starting what would become the longest consecutive games played streak in team history.
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Looking to build off his solid first-year campaign, Mitchell did just that by surpassing his goal total of 2014-15. Not only did he score more goals than his rookie campaign, he scored more than any other Wild skater in a single season. The Orangeville, ON native set a new team record with 22 goals in 70 games played. He also added 22 assists for 42 points on the year.
With 76 straight games played in 2014-15, Mitchell joined Zack Phillips as the only other player to suit up in every game during the regular season. Phillips, who joined the team 2014-14, didn’t miss a game until Jan. 13, 2015 when he was a healthy scratch. That ended his string of 112 straight games played. On Mar. 2, 2016, Mitchell was struck with an illness that sidelined him for a few games. It marked the first time in his pro career he was out of the lineup and it ended a streak of 134 straight games played – a new Iowa Wild record. Expect this record to be safe for at least the 2016-17 season, as not one player suited up in every game this past season.
Counting his stellar sophomore campaign, Mitchell climbed to the top of numerous categories on Iowa’s all-time scoring list. Here is where he ranks all-time.
Mitchell’s All-Time Rankings
Games Played: 146 (4th)
Goals: 39 (T-1st)
Assists: 38 (5th)
Points: 77 (2nd)
Power-Play Goals: 7 (4th)
Power-Play Points: 19 (5th)
Power-Play Assists: 12 (5th)
Game-Winning Goals: 6 (1st)
Shots on Goal: 270 (3rd)
Shorthanded Goals: 3 (1st)
Expectations for the 2016-17 season are high for Mitchell, who will be expected to contend for a roster spot in Minnesota and is a likely candidate to get some games in with the big club.