ECAC Hockey Video of the Week: The Willie Mitchell Goal

Willie Mitchell

Willie Mitchell only played two years at Clarkson before starting his pro career in the New Jersey Devils system, but those two years were extremely memorable. In his freshman year, Mitchell tallied 26 points in 34 games, which led to him being named to the ECAC All-Rookie and Second Teams, as well as being tabbed as the ECAC's co-Rookie of the Year with teammate Erik Cole.

The following season he accumulated 29 points on his way to being named to the ECAC First Team and a Second Team All-American.

The most memorable moment of his college career and one of the most memorable moments in the history of Clarkson Hockey came in the 1999 ECAC semifinals. In this game the Golden Knights faced Princeton in a classic battle. Clarkson went ahead with four first period goals, but the Tigers responded with three in the second period. The Golden Knights went up 5-3, eight minutes into the third, but Princeton stormed back to cut the lead to one with 4:17 left in regulation. Then with 43 seconds left Princeton's Scott Bertoli tied the game with a dramatic goal. [Click Here for Game Box Score]

Princeton seemed to have all the momentum heading into the overtime period, but Willie Mitchell had something to say about that. What he did in the following video led to him being named the ECAC Tournament MVP.



Mitchell and the Golden Knights went on to win the ECAC championship with a 3-2 win over St. Lawrence, avenging their 5-4 double OT loss in the championship game to Princeton the previous season.

He has played for the Devils, Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, and Los Angeles Kings over his pro career where he has been a very solid defenseman. [Click Here for Career Stats]