Ian Mitchell. Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Bruins place former top defensive prospect on waivers

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Mike Gould | Last updated 10/25/23

The Boston Bruins have placed defenseman Ian Mitchell on waivers, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Wednesday afternoon.

Mitchell, 24, has appeared in two NHL games with the Bruins to start the 2023–24 season, collecting one assist while averaging 10:41 of ice time.

The Bruins acquired Mitchell from the Chicago Blackhawks on June 26 as part of the trade that sent Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno to the Windy City. The Blackhawks also sent defenseman Alec Regula to Boston in the deal.

Mitchell signed a one-year, one-way contract with the Bruins on July 10. He’ll earn a $775,000 salary this season regardless of whether he plays in the NHL or the American Hockey League.

Ian Mitchell (BOS) on waivers
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 25, 2023

The Blackhawks originally selected Mitchell in the second round (No. 57 overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft. The 5-foot-11 right-handed defenseman played his junior hockey with the AJHL’s Spruce Grove Saints before spending three years at the University of Denver.

Mitchell turned pro with the Blackhawks after the 2019–20 season. He appeared in 82 games with Chicago over parts of three NHL regular seasons, racking up four goals and 16 points while averaging 15:04 of ice time per night.

No other players were placed on waivers on Wednesday. Mitchell is the first player to be waived since Liam Foudy, who was claimed by the Nashville Predators on October 21 after being made available by the Columbus Blue Jackets a day earlier.

For now, Mitchell is the odd man out in a Bruins defensive group that also includes Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, Brandon Carlo, Matt Grzelcyk, Kevin Shattenkirk and Derek Forbort. The Bruins also have Jakub Zboril, Mason Lohrei and Reilly Walsh, among others, playing with AHL Providence.

After a day off on Wednesday, Boston will return to action with its perfect 6–0–0 record on the line to play host to the Anaheim Ducks at TD Garden on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Daily Faceoff and was syndicated with permission.

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