63 replies to this topic

[DucksFan39]

He's a ducks prospect that nobody talks about so I will.

He played really well vs Miami OH on CSTV yesterday. He's going to be a very good defensemen.

[Captain Quack]

Thats good too hear.
What are some of his strengths and who would you compare his style of game too?

[Nordy]

I would love to learn about the up and coming players! Always nice to know what's in store for the future of the game! If you have time it would be great to read a little blurb about him

[Dark Knight]

Thanks for the info. We need more info about Mitera and other Ducklings

[LightItUp4126]

Well, I can go dig up some internet info, but the best info is things you see in real life, so if you could talk about him, that would be great.

Hockey's Future Article>>>
Wikipedia Article>>>
Hockey DB Stats>>>
Michigan State Scouting Report>>>
CCHA Article>>>

That's the most I could find, not all of it goes into depth about him, but I think that's as close as Orange County is going to get to him for the next few years.

EDIT: Maybe Forbesy can help us out here?

[forbesy]

To add to those articles, here's what I wrote in the 2006 draft review about Mitera:

Mark Mitera, D - University of Michigan, CCHA
Selected 19th overall (1st round), 6'3, 202 pounds

In a move originally predicted in the Hockey's Future staff mock draft, the Ducks used their first pick of the draft to select Mark Mitera. A native of Michigan, Mitera plays for University of Michigan Wolverines. In 39 games with the Wolverines, he had 10 assists and 59 penalty minutes. Mitera also played a key role for the United States at the 2006 World Juniors in Vancouver. In seven games playing for his country, he had 27 penalty minutes and was a -1.

Not known for his offensive skills, Mitera describes himself as follows: "I’m a defensive-defenseman. I’m a big physical guy, who’s a team player. I see the ice well and I make good passes. I’m a good hardworking player."

He could eventually be called upon to become a defensive stalwart on the Ducks blueline, in the mold of former Duck Keith Carney. Mitera sees his skating as the biggest thing that he feels he needs to work on, noting that "A big defenseman like myself can’t get away with hooking guys and holding on to them."

The selection of Mitera allowed the Ducks the freedom to send Ladislav Smid, a former first rounder and their top defensive prospect in a package to the Edmonton Oilers to acquire star defenseman Chris Pronger. It has been rumored that the Ducks were willing to part with Smid if the deal was right and by acquiring a defenseman like Mitera, the blow of losing a player of his caliber was lessened dramatically. Interestingly enough, immediately after being drafted, Mitera admitted that he tries to style his game after Pronger. "[Pronger]’s a big guy, and a physical player. Guys don’t want to come down on his side. He’s got a shot from the point and I’d like to mold myself after him."

[DucksFan39]

Forbsey I think his upside is higher than Carney, he has a physical edge that Carney never really played with. I can see him being another Regehr. everything he does in the defensive zone is really solid and he has some untapped offensive ability, I was really surprised by how smart he is with the puck. He looks much better than he did a year ago at the WJC's.

[wildcat48]

I am curious if he will come out of University once he is completed with this season, opting to sign a contract. It would make for an interesting issue in Portland if he was assigned here.

[JUStheDUCKS]

so it sounds like he is a vish type player with a little more offensive upside
sounds great to me!

[forbesy]

The Vish with offensive upside comparison is probably a little off. Mitera won't make a name for himself for putting up the points, only preventing them. A Pronger-type without the offensive upside is better, so I guess Regehr is probably a great comparison. I obviously didn't have as much knowledge of him at the time of that article as I do now.
Not sure what the organization's plans are for him after this season. He'll suit up for the World Junior team again. Anaheim has a history of hauling player out of college early, but with Mitera just a sophomore and such a glut of blue liners in the system, they might leave him with Michigan for another season after this one.

[DucksFan39]

so it sounds like he is a vish type player with a little more offensive upside
sounds great to me!

He's way more sound defensively than Vish. Mitera plays physical but in a different way than Vish.

I was originally thinking he'd play 2 moreyears at Michigan but he may be ready to make the jump to the AHL next season, if not potentially for a playoff run this year.

[WISDUCK]

I saw Mark tonight against Wisconsin. He was solid on defense, and had good skating and passing. I'm pretty sure he din't even go 20 feet within the net, though. His team was up 1 with 15 seconds to go. Mitera had a chance to clear the puck, but tripped on his own feet, and almost blowing the game as a result. He didn't get on the scoresheet, but he did an impressive dive to draw a penalty.

Just updating you on our number 1 pick!

[Dark Knight]

Thanks for the update

[LightItUp4126]

Good to know!

[DropThePuck]

Ready for an increased role, Mitera's trimmed about eight pounds to play this season at 205 pounds.

"I'm excited about stepping up and being a leader for the D corps," Mitera said. "We want to work on lowering our goals against from last year."

<link>

[Kariya9]

Anyone know when he's comeing to Portland?

[wildcat48]

Anyone know when he's comeing to Portland?

Next season, he's in school at UM

[SacredCow]

If you have the Big 10 Network (Channel 220 on DirecTV I believe) you can see Mark Mitera play in the following games:

Friday, November 23: Wisconsin at Michigan
Saturday, November 24: Minnesota at Michigan
Friday, February 1: Nebraska-Omaha at Michigan, 8 p.m. ET
Friday, February 29: Ferris State at Michigan, 7:30 p.m. ET

[Rooch20]

Well, considering that he's got a few more years to go and being the anchor of the D corps. I'm really having high hopes for Mitera and hopefully, he'll be molded more into a complete package on Defense.

[forbesy]

If you have the Big 10 Network (Channel 220 on DirecTV I believe) you can see Mark Mitera play in the following games:

Friday, November 23: Wisconsin at Michigan
Saturday, November 24: Minnesota at Michigan
Friday, February 1: Nebraska-Omaha at Michigan, 8 p.m. ET
Friday, February 29: Ferris State at Michigan, 7:30 p.m. ET

That game against Wisconsin will also feature another Ducks defenseman in Badger blue liner Kyle Klubertanz.

It's also worth noting that 2007 draft pick Steven Kampfer plays for the Michigan Wolverines with Mitera.

[Kariya9]

Next season, he's in school at UM

Thanks. Can't Wait.

[SacredCow]

First and foremost, congratulations to Mark Mitera on being named the CCHA Defenseman of the Week for the week of October 27th, 2007. LINK

If you'd like to see Mark Mitera for yourself he will and the Wolverines will be on TV tonight. Here's the details:

#2 Michigan vs. Nebraska-Omaha
November 2nd
5:00pm PT
DirecTV Channel 610

The game is being broadcast by CSTV and if you are a DirecTV subscriber and you have the Sports Pack you will be able to see the game. I plan on watching and can't wait as it will be my first time seeing him play a game. If you do watch the game keep your eyes on #17 in Maize & Blue.

[DucksFan39]

I've watched Mitera the last two weeks and the guy is really good. First he plays a TON of minutes, has to be damn near 30 per game, second he makes a great first pass out of the zone, he sprung alot of plays up the ice with quick tape to tape passes, third, he's strong on his stick. He takes the puck off of other peoples sticks alot. 4th I am starting to see a mean streak, which is great. Lastly he has offensive ability, he's getting alot of pp time and he looks comfortable and he does not rush anything. He won't be an elite high scoring defensemen but he has atleast 30-40 point ability.

He's really flown under the radar but he is developing nicely imo.

[hockeydude758]

I was wondering what the plans for Mark Mitera will be? is he a senior? will he go to the AHL? or strait to the NHL? thank you


moderator edit: merged thread into this existing Mitera thread

[forbesy]

I was wondering what the plans for Mark Mitera will be? is he a senior? will he go to the AHL? or strait to the NHL? thank you


moderator edit: merged thread into this existing Mitera thread

He's a senior next year and while it is possible he could decide to forgo his final college year to turn professional, there's a couple of reasons why I don't think that will happen:

1. His coach, the legendary Red Berenson describes him as a perfect student-athlete. Not only is he talented on the ice, he's also strong in the classroom. This isn't always the case for NCAA athletes, which at least has me thinking he'll choose to finish his degree.

2. With the questions on the Ducks minor league affiliate for next season and Anaheim already having a good sized contingent of defensemen with pro contracts (and another one coming if the Ducks choose to sign John deGray, which in my opinion, they should), it would be in Anaheim's best interest to leave Mitera in college until these questions are resolved. As an organization, it does not benefit the Ducks to have prospects spread across the AHL, or the majority of their prospects in the ECHL. One only needs to look at the Edmonton Oilers and their trouble developing their young players since the lockout, due to shared affiliations.

3. Continuing with the thinking from point #2, this isn't an ideal time to bring a new defenseman in at the NHL level. All of the Ducks blueliners are signed through the 2008-09 season, save for Dipenta. While Anaheim has made it a policy to never hold back prospects who are ready to make the jump and they usually don't hand roster spots out prior to training camp, Mitera as a defensive defenseman would be able to step into a third pairing spot a lot easier than a two-way guy or an offensive blueliner. Stay-at-home types can play a simple game and ease into the lineup quicker, as was seen with players like Sauer and Huskins. Mitera, in my opinion, could play a safe game with limited minutes in the NHL to start his pro career.

It is hard to say what the Ducks decision with Mitera will be. Berenson told me that Anaheim did make a preliminary inquiry prior to this season about him turning pro, but the conversation didn't go too far, simply because Mitera wasn't thought to be ready to make the jump. Berenson refused to speculate if he was ready now, but did say that he has improved his game tremendously over the course of this season.

In my mind, it doesn't hurt Mitera to spend another year in the NCAA, both to continue to refine his game and to complete his academic plans. Looking at Anaheim's situation entering next year, it also might benefit them more to keep him in college as well, although the Ducks might see it otherwise.