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 University. 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 during tough stretches of the season.

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. For now, Mitchell will continue to anchor the Bridgeport defense, but with his work ethic and steady progression, he could become of those depth defenseman that can fill a role if injuries arise on the blue line.