Nanaimo Clippers captain Marcus Mitchell has paid his dues in the BCHL. The four-year veteran is currently enjoying his most productive season in the league, finishing fourth in team scoring for the Clippers with 47 points in 43 games. After suiting up for 189 regular-season games, Mitchell has secured his NCAA future by committing to the University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves for the 2019-20 season.
The 20-year-old Kelowna native more than doubled his career-best points total this year and his 22 goals are also more than twice as much as he’s every had in a season. Despite this personal success, Mitchell credits the people around him over the years for his recent milestone.
“I would like to thank the entire coaching staff at the University of Alaska Anchorage for giving me this opportunity,” he said in a release from the Clippers. “I couldn’t have made it here without all of the support from family, friends, teammates and coaches throughout my hockey career.”
After playing his first two seasons with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, Mitchell was acquired by the Penticton Vees midway through last season, then joined Nanaimo this past offseason. Over his career, he has totaled 118 points (53 goals, 65 assists) in 189 games and also piled up 12 points in 16 playoff games.
Mitchell will join a host of BCHL alums when he joins the Seawolves next year. Alaska-Anchorage boasts 12 former players from the league, including Brody Claeys, Nathan and Jonah Renouf, Drayson Pears, Cam Amantea, Jared Nash, Zac Masson, Corey Renwick, Carmine Buono, Jeremiah Luedtke, Zach Court and Kristian Stead.
The Seawolves should have no shortage of leadership next year as three current BCHL captains are all committed to the program, including Mitchell, Coquitlam Express defenceman Troy Robillard and Merritt Centennials forward Nicholas Wicks.
Alaska Anchorage plays in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) and competes against Alabama Huntsville, Alaska-Fairbanks, Bemidji State, Bowling Green, Ferris State, Lake Superior State, Michigan Tech, Minnesota State and Northern Michigan.
