Mitchell hopes to gain experience
with Marlies

TORONTO -- Dale Mitchell was driving his 1993 Chrysler Dynasty downtown Monday morning when he heard something rattling from the rear of his car.
It was the muffler.

"It must have popped off at a red light," he said. "I was dragging it along for quite a while." Lucky for Mitchell, he no longer has to worry about sinking any more money into the oft-repaired, four-door sedan. After signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday that is believed to be worth $1.35 million US, the teenaged prospect can now afford to upgrade.
"The Dynasty is over," he said. "I think I'll have to look into getting something new now."

Dale Mitchell of the Toronto Maple Leafs puts on his new team jersey after being drafted 74th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Aside from no longer having to drive around in a 15-year-old beater, signing a pro contract has other perks. Chief among them is graduating to the American Hockey League. Two weeks ago, Mitchell was competing in the third round of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs, where he led the Oshawa Generals with 10 goals and shared the team lead with 16 points. Now, he is hoping to continue that post-season success with the Toronto Marlies.

The 19-year-old winger practised with the team at Ricoh Coliseum on Monday before hopping on a bus for a four-hour ride to Syracuse, N.Y., for Game 3 of the North Division final against the Crunch tonight. Though there are no guarantees he will see any action, Mitchell said he could learn a lot simply from being around the players.
"They said that maybe I'll get a chance (to play)," said Mitchell. "If not, I'll just take the pro experience - see how they live and how they play hockey - and bring it back for next year."

Mitchell was selected 74th overall in the 2007 NHL entry draft. But in a year when the Leafs traded away their first two picks, the native of Mississauga, Ont., became Toronto's top draft choice. As such, the five-foot-eight forward has received considerably more attention than may be warranted. Mitchell's junior career was respectable - he scored 43 goals in his draft year - but the offensive output was somewhat unimpressive because his 15-year-old teammate, John Tavares, scored 72 goals that same season. "He's such a great hockey player," Mitchell said of Tavares, who is projected to be the first-overall draft choice in 2009. "I'll get the first chance to play in the pros, though."
In all likelihood, Mitchell could be two or three years away from seeing any time in the NHL. His height works against him, although Mitchell, who is a beefy 206 pounds, makes up for lost inches with his tenacious physical play and a willingness to go in danger areas.

Even off the ice, he is unafraid to buck the trend. "Actually, I was not so much a Leafs fan," he admitted Monday. "I just always liked teasing my buddies, saying that I hoped they lose and stuff. Now, being here, obviously that changes."
Indeed, now that he has finally arrived in Toronto, Mitchell is trying his hardest to become a part of his new team. So far that means growing a moustache - the Marlies' version of a playoff beard - picking up pucks at the end of practice and goofing around with teammate David Ling's toddler son in the dressing room.
"Rookies have to do whatever they have to do to fit in," said Mitchell.
"It's a lot different than junior. You've got guys who are 28 years old, and guys who have kids, where this is their career and job. So being here and taking it in, it hits you that you have to be more mature."