Another old team vs. new team matchup

Dustin Penner had his “homecoming game” in Edmonton, and now Willie Mitchell gets his in Vancouver. Of course, Mitchell already played here with the Kings, in the season opener, but he’s still very well-regarded in the city. Mitchell is a native of British Columbia, just north of Vancouver, and still spends much of his free time in the area. On the ice, things have gone well for Mitchell this season. After some initial moving around, he has settled in as Drew Doughty’s permanent partner and has a plus-8 rating in 51 games this season. Here’s what Terry Murray said about what Mitchell has brought to the Kings.

MURRAY: “Willie has been a great add to our hockey club. He’s a good fit in the locker room, with his personality. He’s a great fit on the ice. He’s a very good defending hockey player. He’s got great range, skating ability, he’s got an excellent stick and really meshes together well with Doughty. I think Doughty has taken his game to the next level, playing with Willie Mitchell, and when you can add a good, experienced veteran defenseman like that, he fits into the structure and the type of team that we’re building here, to be a good checking, solid hockey club.”