Los Angeles Kings' Willie Mitchell looking forward for first Stanley Cup Finals experience-NHL Update
Players with vast postseason experience are always the backbone for teams on route to winning the Stanley Cup championship, but then there are those that have played for many years in the National Hockey League (NHL), but never got a chance to fight for
the cup.
Willie Mitchell is one of those veteran players that are extremely excited to be getting their first chance at battling it out for league supremacy and an opportunity to hoist the Stanley Cup above his shoulders.
Having played for 12 seasons and never getting into the Stanley Cup Finals, this year is definitely one which Willie Mitchell will always remember.
"It's been a long time coming," Mitchell said. "It's what you work for as a player and a teammate. I was fortunate enough to be out on the ice when big [Dustin Penner] scored [in overtime]. Some guys were jumping and I was just sitting there [thinking],
'Is this happening?' I feel fortunate to get this chance and get the opportunity to play for the Stanley Cup for real."
Being the team’s oldest player at 35, Mitchell does provide an invaluable feeling of leadership to the other and younger players on board, but as Kings await their next opponent in the final stage of the playoffs, he will definitely be looking for the support
of others. Seeing how Kings are going in for the first time in 19 years, everyone seems to be on the same level.
"It's nice to be a part of it when it hasn't happened in a long time here," he added. "You could see the development and the growth in the organization in the last few years, being in the playoffs and this year taking another step."
Willie Mitchell continues to provide Los Angeles Kings with not only veteran leadership but also with the defensive depth they need to continue tackling the opposition. He will need to step up his game more than ever when the next round kicks off for sure.
It will definitely be interesting to see where Los Angeles Kings get when the Stanley Cup Finals kick off against either one of Eastern Conference teams.
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