Calgary Wranglers centre Mitch McLain had most productive year in the AHL

Mitch McLain entered his sixth season in the AHL part of the Calgary Wranglers’ inaugural season. He had previously played with the Iowa Wild and, more recently, the Milwaukee Admirals before he was picked up by Calgary about a year ago in the off-season. McLain’s first season with the Wranglers was a personal best for him as it was the best of his career points-wise as a depth centre. 

By the numbers

Regular season

McLain had a successful year under Mitch Love. His previous year with the Admirals was his best points-wise with 23 points. This year, Mitch McLain earned 28 points with 16 goals and 12 assists. His PIMs were up over 100 again this season with his second-highest amount of 108. He also picked up three power play goals this year and scored one game-winner.

McLain was often found centering a line of Adam Klapka and Alex Gallant. A tough line to play against physically. Those three can all take a hit, give a hit and drop the gloves and hold their own well. McLain and Klapka had the best of the scoring capabilities on that line and were rewarded from time to time with some fourth line goals. Especially at times when the lines above them were going quiet.

McLain ended up playing in 56 games this season and would switch in and out of the lineup based on performance. 28 points in 56 games isn’t too shabby at all.

Post-season

Unfortunately, for number six, his presence was not super impactful in the post-season. He played in five of the nine games and did not pick up any points. Because of the importance of these games, McLain got his chances to prove himself in the Abbotsford Canucks series but only played in one Coachella Valley Firebirds game before getting yanked for the rest of the playoff run. 

McLain averaged a shot a game and had a pretty blank stat line for the post-season with the exception of a couple of minor penalties. He was a victim of the Wranglers’ depth and needed to be swapped out with someone who had a better chance at producing. For his place in his professional hockey career, surely he wanted to do more with his opportunity at a Calder Cup run. 

Next season

There won’t be much contract talk with McLain this off-season as he signed a two-year AHL contract with Calgary last summer. He is expected to join the Calgary Wranglers for the 2023-24 season and may have opportunities to move up the lineup depending on who’s left on the roster.

Rating 

Mitch McLain didn’t have the most flashy season but did have his bright moments over the year. For his efforts in the regular season and taking the drop in performance in the playoffs into consideration, I place his rating at a C+ for his year.

Tune into the The Daily Faceoff Live Free Agent Special on July 1st from 11am – 1pm EST hosted by Tyler Yaremchuk, featuring NHL insider Frank Seravalli, serving you all the up to the minute details!