The Gambler
March 17, 2017
By Grant McCagg
Three seconds into his first shift I say to myself “that has to be Casey”. Mittelstadt stands out like a sore thumb in this league with his quickness, skill and anticipation. Been watching a lot of USHL hockey in the past two weeks and he was noticeable above all others I’ve seen as soon as he hit the ice. I love his competitiveness..always keeps his feet moving . Strides are a little short but his legs are going a mile a minute. Sometimes the legs are pumping but he’s not going anywhere…definitely not the longest, smoothest stride but lucky for him he has a Michael McLeodian motor. He is studious on the defensive end…looks after his own zone.
Mittelstadt with a power play assist early in the third, then with the score tied in the last ten minutes he gets the puck in the high slot on the power play and puts it top shelf on a wicked wrist shot. With 1:30 left Mittelstadt is on the ice taking care of his own end…a very strong performance defensively tonight…he gets the puck and zips it the length of the ice into the empty net to officially seal the contest, making it 4-1 Green Bay. No question for me who the better prospect is between Mittelstadt and Tolvanen…the nod goes to the Gambler by a significant margin.