Father Like Son: Travis Mitchell’s Path to the NHL

By: Tucker Terranova

When Travis Mitchell stepped onto the ice at UBS Arena last Friday for his rookie lap, he became the newest member of hockey’s most exclusive fraternity and fulfilled a lifelong dream shaped by someone who knows exactly what it takes to reach the sport’s highest level. Mitchell didn’t have to look far for a favorite player growing up and now shares the rare distinction of being part of a father-son duo to reach the NHL. 

Travis’s father, Jeff, played 281 professional games over nine seasons, including seven with the Dallas Stars in 1997-98, giving him firsthand knowledge of the grind required to make it. For the Mitchell family, Travis’s debut delivered a moment of joy right when they needed it most. Jeff is in the midst of his battle with cancer, and Travis received the call, fittingly, during Hockey Fights Cancer month.

“Getting called up to the NHL lifted his spirits as well,” Travis said. “It’s something I’ve worked my whole life for, but he’s also put in just as much effort helping me get there.” 

Travis’ earliest hockey memories were formed on team buses and long car rides with his mother to watch Jeff play. Those moments sparked his own passion for the game, and Jeff stayed by his side every step of the way, coaching his Honeybaked team until Travis was 16. 

“It was a cool relationship to have with my dad and to share that youth hockey experience with him,” Travis said. “If I played bad, he’d be hard on me, but I knew it was because he understood what it took to get where I wanted to go.” 

Mitchell’s first experience playing outside his father’s guidance came in the USHL with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. He arrived at training camp with one bag and modest expectations as a 16-year-old but earned his way onto the opening-night roster. 

Three games into his second season, he was traded to the Omaha Lancers, where he played under former first-round pick Dave Wilkie, someone Mitchell credits with shaping his development. “He traded for me and gave me a lot of opportunities,” Mitchell said. “He really helped my game grow. He gave me confidence and the structure I needed to develop as a player and as a person.” 

That trust led to two strong seasons in Omaha and ultimately a visit to Cornell University, where he committed on the spot. “I loved the tradition, the school, and the hockey program,” he said. “They made me feel welcome and wanted. Sitting there with Coach Schafer and my parents, as soon as he offered, I knew it was where I wanted to be.” 

Mitchell spent four seasons with the Big Red, recording 45 points in 97 games and earning ECAC Defensive Defenseman of the Year and Rookie of the Year finalist honors. But the moment that meant the most came in his senior year, when he was named captain. “It was really special to be seen as a leader and to wear the ‘C,’” he said. “Very few people get to do that. It’s something I’ll always remember.” 

His leadership and steady defensive play have carried into his time with the Bridgeport Islanders. He originally chose the organization because of the relationships he built with the staff and their commitment to development. Now in his fourth season, Mitchell believes the group has built the strongest culture he’s seen. “We’ve put a big emphasis on holding guys accountable this season,” he said. “As the year goes on and the team continues to mesh, I think we’re going to have a lot of success.” 

Mitchell has been a reliable presence on Bridgeport’s blue line, logging heavy penalty-kill minutes and posting four assists in 14 games, putting him on pace for a career high in points. 

Through it all, the constant has been his father. Whether it’s advice, encouragement, or honest critiques, Jeff has been Travis’s anchor through the ups and downs of a pro career. Mitchell has been recalled three times, though he didn’t appear in an NHL game until his most recent call-up. Whether he plays or not, each call brings joy to his family and fuels his drive to establish himself at the next level. 

“Sometimes I think they get more excited than me,” he said. “It’s a thrilling experience, but I remind myself to stay in the moment and keep doing what I’ve been doing.”