Friend of CS Willie Mitchell Struggling To Get Back From Concussions
Here’s a link to our January 2014 profile on then Los Angeles Kings hockey player Willie Mitchell, who’s a dedicated angler and advocate for wild salmon.
Mitchell has spent the last two seasons with the Florida Panthers, but per this update from Yahoo Sports, Mitchell, who’s been out of the lineup since January with concussion issues, is facing a difficult choice if he tries to return from his injury.
From Yahoo’s Puck Daddy blogger Josh Cooper:
According to the Miami Herald, Mitchell – who has been out since January after concussion issues popped up – could return, but some doctors recommend he doesn’t “for future well being.”
Mitchell averaged 19:56 of ice-time per-game this season and had one goal and six assists in 46 games played. He has reportedly been skating for several weeks now.
“Willie has to decide whether he can play or not,” general manager Dale Tallon said Thursday via the Herald. “We want to make sure he doesn’t get hurt, we want to make sure there is no permanent damage. But this is up to Willie. We want to do what is best for him. That’s the bottom line. The doctors have said they’re concerned with his long-term health.”
We’re hoping Mitchell can get back on the ice, but we’d also like to see him not risk any damage as has happened to athletes with head injuries. Willie is a great guy and an ambassador for not just his sport but for salmon fishermen and those who oppose the fish farms that are dotted throughout the surrounding waters of his British Columbia, Canada home on Vancouver Island.
Best of luck to him.
