Getting to know NY Islanders Training Camp Invitee: Travis Mitchell

"When the New York Islanders signed Travis Mitchell as an undrafted NCAA free agent in March 2023, they brought in a defenseman who had quietly developed into a reliable two-way contributor at Cornell Universit y. Over four seasons with the Big Red, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound blueliner appeared in 95 games, registering 11 goals and 36 assists for 47 points. He capped off his college career by helping Cornell capture the ECAC regular-season title in 2019-20, setting the stage for his jump to the professional ranks."

"Since joining the Islanders organization, Mitchell has been honing his game with the Bridgeport Islanders in the AHL. He has adopted a physical, stay-at-home role, something that aligns seamlessly with new head coach Rocky Thompson's philosophy. In the 2024-25 season, Mitchell suited up for 65 games, scoring 13 points while accumulating 101 penalty minutes. The stat line underscored his value as a player willing to engage physically, battle in the corners, and provide the kind of grit that coaches lean on."

"While Mitchell has yet to make his NHL debut, he has already earned a recall as an emergency replacement and remains firmly on the radar as a potential depth option for the Islanders' blue line. His size and commitment to playing a hard-nosed defensive game make him the type of player who could carve out a bottom-pair role at some point in his career."

Travis Mitchell signed with the New York Islanders as an undrafted NCAA free agent in March 2023 after four seasons at Cornell, where he totaled 47 points in 95 games and helped capture the ECAC regular-season title in 2019-20. He has developed into a 6-foot-3, 200-pound two-way, stay-at-home defenseman. Mitchell has played with the AHL's Bridgeport Islanders, embracing a physical role aligned with coach Rocky Thompson. In 2024-25 he played 65 games, scored 13 points and had 101 penalty minutes. He has earned an emergency NHL recall and projects as a potential bottom-pair depth option if injuries arise.

Read at Eyes On Isles