NHL Draft Profiles: Bloomington’s Mattson excited to take his game to North Dakota

The 2016 NHL Draft is quickly approaching, and for draft prospect Mitchell Mattson, the draft has taken on a different meaning.

“It’s not something that I’ve really thought about. Obviously it’s something that is really exciting, but getting drafted does not mean that I can stop working hard. It’s where the real work begins,” said Mattson, a Grand Rapids, Minn., native.

He is ranked 61st overall among North American Skaters for the draft, which takes place June 24-25 in Buffalo, N.Y. The Hockey News Draft Preview has him being picked 89th overall, a third round selection.

Mattson’s hard work thus far has given him tremendous opportunities in his hockey career up to this point.

This past season, Mitchell recorded 58 points in 28 games for Grand Rapids High School. In the fall before the high school season started, and after the high school season ended, Mattson played the Bloomington Thunder of the United States Hockey League.

He scored three goals in 31 games for the Thunder. When asked about the adjustment from high school hockey to the USHL, said it is a much faster pace, but also more physically demanding.

“The guys in the USHL are a lot stronger and, overall, it’s just a much tighter game,” said Mattson, who had seven points in 13 games with the Thunder in 2014-15.

Although he was not too happy with his point totals in the USHL this season (which included one assist in 10 USHL playoff games), the future still looks bright for the 6-foot-4-inch, 190-pound Mattson.

Along with his draft potential, he will also be playing for the defending Division 1 national champion University of North Dakota next season, a team that is always comprised of NHL-caliber talent. Mattson spoke highly of the Fighting Hawks.

“It seemed like a perfect fit for me when I had my visit there,” said Mattson. “The coaching staff has a great history of getting players ready to play at the NHL level.”

Coming off the 2016 national championship, North Dakota will once again be a top contender to win next year’s crown.

As for his style of play, Mitchell strives to play similarly to Evgeni Malkin of the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

“Obviously, I’m not at the same level as he is, but that’s who I try to model my game after,” he added.

While Mattson has the same height as Malkin, it is Mattson’s strength that will need to improve for him to continue to have success at the next level. However, strength can come with maturity. Mattson, being a young prospect, has plenty of time to fill out and grow into his large frame.

So far in his early hockey career, Mattson has learned many things. One thing that he learned from this year is to “enjoy the game and never lose sight of why you’re playing.”

As you move up the ranks in hockey, the game gets tougher and tougher, but Mattson’s attitude of enjoying the game will be a helpful tool at any level of play.

Mattson has immense potential as a hockey player and his hard work and positive attitude, combined with his high level of play, are what will make him a successful player and person as he continues with his hockey career.