Mitchell, who this season recorded 14 goals and 18 assists in 42 games, two short of his career best, and appeared in his second consecutive Elite League All Star game, despite starting the season 14 games late due to a knee injury, picked up the players and coaches player of the year award on the same night in which he was named in Paul Thompson's provisional 31 man squad for a double header against the Netherlands in April.
He will be hoping that near best career figures, that would have certainly been career best figures had a knee injury not scuppered the early part of his season, will be enough to get him into the full Great Britain squad for World Championship games against Slovenia, Croatia, Korea, Hungary and Poland after years of teetering on the brink. Joining him in the provisional squad are former Stingrays defencemen Dave Phillips, now in the AHL, brother Kevin Phillips, at Belfast, and young prodigy Stevie Lee, in Nottingham.
Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier sung the former Fife forwards praises after a season in which he levelled his career best in goals and could potentially make his first full World Championships appearance:
"He's a coach's dream. Anything you ask him to do, he will do it, whether that's playing on the first, second or third lines, the powerplay or penalty kill, he gets his head down and does it. Lee does all the little things right. He's been a go-to guy for us and he's been outstanding for us since he came back from injury."Meanwhile, Kalmikov deservedly picked up two of the fans voted awards for best forward and player of the year after he recorded career highs in goals (36), assists (29) and points (65) with just four penalty minutes picked despite the former Ukrainian international being an ever-present in the Stingrays roster.
Elsewhere, Adam Knight, nicknamed 'The Dark Knight' by supporters, picked up the fans favourite award following an entertaining season in which he fought 17 times against the likes of Sean McMorrow and Brad Voth, big hitting Stephen Burns picked up defenceman of the year and youngster Matty Davies picked up most improved player after a season in which he recorded four goals and 12 assists in his debut Elite League season."...he has been a force for us and has scored some big goals. He is strong in both ends of the rink and is a disciplined player who never complains. He is a great guy to have on the team and I am very pleased for him."
