Chicago Blackhawks’ Prospects Proving Defense Wins Championships

Chicago Blackhawks prospects Blake Hillman and Ian Mitchell are set to defend their NCAA title this year at the University of Denver

Culture in sports has a unique relationship with prestige. We often hear words like storied, historic and traditional used to describe teams with winning cultures (like the recent Chicago Blackhawks), but you can only truly experience prestige by feeling it. And there are more ways than one to do so.

Tuesday afternoon, I walked through the halls of Magness Arena, the sports complex on campus of the University of Denver where the Pioneers play hockey. Everywhere I looked, there was an item with historical significance. Trophies, memorabilia and statues lined the hallways down to the ice level where the team was taking its 2017-18 photo.

As I walked the tunnel underneath the concourse, my eyes glossed over motivational quotes and DU emblems, just as those of every hockey player do on his way to a game. I felt inspired in the short time it took me to get where I needed to go.

As the players flocked from the locker room to the ice, laughter filled the air. The Pioneers sported pure white jerseys that weren’t stained with the blood and sweat from last year’s championship run. But there’s plenty of time for new decor this season.

Chicago Blackhawks

Many of the reporters were asking for interviews with players like Team USA’s Troy Terry and Florida Panthers first-round draft selection Henrik Borgstrom, but my interests today were elsewhere. I asked for Blackhawks prospects Blake Hillman and Ian Mitchell, who I got to see over the summer at prospect camp. I had a lot of follow-up questions for them, and I was excited to get to know them a little more as people.

After speaking with both guys, I was humbled with their level of professionalism. It wasn’t their first time talking to a reporter, although they probably didn’t know it was my first time talking to players. They were both thorough, honest and excited to be a part of this Pioneers team.

All week, I have been attending seminars at Denver Startup Week where business leaders and executives talk about their experiences with startups. Most of them now head venture capitalist firms that have new business concepts presented to them on a daily basis. The piece of advice that they emphasized is that they don’t invest in ideas, they invest in people.

This concept of investing in people made a lot of sense to me when I was interviewing Hillman and Mitchell. Both are great young kids and they have the integrity to succeed at a very high level. I now see from a personal point of view why the Blackhawks’ front office selected these gentlemen out of a sea of hockey players.

I hope you enjoy these interviews as much as I enjoyed speaking with Blake and Ian.

Interview with Ian Mitchell

What was your experience like at Blackhawks prospect camp this summer?

IM: It was great. It was cool to go up against some guys that I’ll be competing with down the road. It’s been a dream of mine to go to an NHL camp, and I thought I did well. I was really excited to go there and showcase myself.

Who were the players that impressed you the most at prospect camp?

IM: Henri Jokiharju is a really good player. He and I are probably similar in the way we play. I was really impressed with his game and it’s obvious they took him in the first round for a reason. Then there was Dylan Sikura, who I thought was the best player at camp. He was unbelievable.

This year the Blackhawks prospect camp was more focused on player fundamentals. What were your thoughts on the new structure?

IM: Honestly, I think I liked that format a little bit better than just scrimmaging because sometimes the pace isn’t always high. But if you’re practicing and working on skills, I’d say that’s more important in a development camp. I really liked the format and I hope they’re going to stick with it.

Da Windy City

You and Blake Hillman were paired together a lot at prospect camp over the summer. Do you think that’s a possibility here at DU?

IM: Yeah, for sure. You’ll have to ask Monty about that one, but it’s definitely a possibility. Hillman’s a left-hand shot and an upperclassman, while I’m a right-hand shot and a lowerclassman, so it seems to be a fit right off the bat. We’ll see if it ends up happening.

Blake mentioned you were roommates while at prospect camp in Chicago. Do you see him as a mentor?

IM: Yeah, absolutely. It works out really well that he’s had a couple years with the Blackhawks and a couple years at DU, so I’m always asking him questions and for his perspective on things so I can better understand situations.

What are your goals for this season?

IM: I want to be a part of another championship team. We have the team here to do it, so I’m just trying to do my part and be whatever role Monty wants me to be. I want to play as much as I can, and having a good start to the year will be huge for me to gain his trust as well as the other guys’ trust in the dressing room. I want them to trust me out there and think, “If we give the puck to Ian, he’ll be able to make a good play.” That’s kind of what I’m looking to do for the year.

I noticed you communicated a lot at prospect camp, things like calling out plays. Would you consider that your style as being a leader in situations like the powerplay, being a quarterback as such?

IM: Yeah, absolutely. I think that when I’m communicating and being vocal out there, I feel like I play a lot better. Not only does it help me, but it helps everybody else out there if someone’s talking and directing the play. I’ve always tried to be a leader on the ice and that’s just how I do it.

Blake mentioned that coach Montgomery likes his defensemen to focus on defense first, which will ultimately turn into offense. Is this a style you will have to adapt to?

IM: Yeah, I’m always working on my defensive game, so coming here is going to help me a lot in that aspect. I think that style is something I’m definitely willing to adopt. Anything Monty asks me to do, of course I’m going to try my best to do it.

What’s it like being away at college?

IM: It’s definitely a lot different. I’m a kid that likes to be at home, and it was tough leaving because I’ve lived there my whole life. I didn’t have to move away for juniors which was nice, but it’s also really cool being submerged in this group of guys like a family. It’s really cool, and I’m looking forward to this year. It should be awesome.

Next: Blackhawks Roster Projection Halfway Through Camp

Is there anybody you’re looking forward to playing against in college hockey?

IM: Yeah. Brandon Biro, Tyler Bush and Riley Simpson. Those are guys that I played juniors with. Brandon is with Penn State and Tyler and Riley are with Arizona State University. I don’t know when we’ll get that opportunity, but when it comes around I’m definitely looking forward to going up against them.