Brendan Mikkelson
Brendan Mikkelson was drafted 31st overall in the second round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Anaheim Ducks. The Regina, Saskatchewan native spent four seasons (2003-2007) in the WHL with the Portland Winter Hawks and the Vancouver Giants. He missed most of 2005-06 due to shoulder and knee injuries, which is coincidentally the season that the Vancouver Giants won the WHL Championship. He did, however, help Vancouver win the Memorial Cup the following season and was named to the tournament All-Star Team. He then spent the entire 2007-08 season in the AHL with the Portland Pirates. He split the 2008-09 season between the Iowa Chops of the AHL and the Anaheim Ducks, including his NHL debut on January 2nd against the Philadelphia Flyers. He then recorded his first career point with an assist on January 31st against the Colorado Avalanche. He finished his rookie season with 2 points (both assists) and 17 penalty minutes in 34 games. In international hockey, he helped Canada win silver at the 2005 World Under-18 Championships. At 6’3 and around 210 pounds, Mikkelson is a defenseman who has decent puck-moving skills.
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