The North American Hockey League brands itself as “the league of opportunity.” The Wisconsin Windigo fully subscribe to that mission, for players and coaches alike. During its first two seasons, the Windigo have helped over two dozen players earn NCAA Division-I hockey commitments and have had 8 players selected in the USHL draft.
The Wisconsin Windigo are pleased to announce John Mitchell as their new head coach. After two successful seasons, inaugural head coach Blake Hietala is leaving the Windigo to pursue an NCAA D-I assistant coaching opportunity. Associate head coach Casey Kirley is assuming the head coaching reigns for the Watertown Shamrocks, in Watertown, S.D.
Mitchell hails from Neenah, WI, and played four seasons of NCAA D-I hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While with the Badgers, Mitchell brought home the NCAA National Championship in 2006 and was the runner-up at the 2010 National Championships. He was named the Otto Breitenbach Most Improved Player of the Year for his play during the 2009-2010 season. Mitchell continued his playing career after college, signing an NHL contract with the Anaheim Ducks. John played 207 games over four seasons in the AHL. His final season as a pro was split between the EIHL and ECHL. Mitchell transitioned to coaching in 2015, with the Team Wisconsin 18U program. He moved on to the University School of Milwaukee in 2018 and led them to the Wisconsin Division-1 state high school hockey championships. John joined the Milwaukee Power of the NA3HL as its assistant coach for the 2021-22 season and was the head coach of the Power during the 2022-23 season. He laid the foundation for the West Bend Power to win the NA3HL Central Division Championship in the 2023-24 season. John was named the associate head coach of the St. Cloud Norsemen in August of 2023. He served as their bench boss for the entire 2023-24 season, while the Norsemen’s head coach served a season long suspension.
Mitchell will assume his role immediately, while coach Hietala will stay on with the Windigo for the near term to ensure a smooth transition. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the Windigo. Coach Hietala has laid a great foundation over the last two years. We have a strong core of players coming back next season and have some great tenders joining the team. I intend to build upon the winning tradition that has been established here. I can’t wait to get started and look forward to my first game in the historic Dome in Eagle River,” offered Mitchell. Coach Hietala commented, “I’d like to thank the fans, billets, sponsors, and volunteers, for their support the past to seasons. Eagle River has become a great place for junior hockey players to pursue their goals and prepare them for the next step in their hockey careers. I will always cherish my time there and wish the Windigo tremendous success in the future.”
Coaches Hietala and Kirley led the Windigo to a NAHL Midwest Division regular season title in 2022-23 and finished runner-up in the division this past season. They won the first round of the playoffs during both years of their tenure with the Windigo.
The Windigo welcome coach Mitchell to Eagle River and wish coaches Hietala and Kirley the best of luck as they pursue their goals in coaching.