A popular tourist resort in Tofino, B.C., co-owned by former NHL player Willie Mitchell, says it is operating under an interim manager.
Willie Mitchell : Obituary | Tofino Resort | Contract
Mitchell was born on April 23, 1977, to Reid and Nadija Mitchell. He has a sister named Chantal. His father is a retired heavy-duty mechanic with Western Forest Products, while his mother is a Croatian-born immigrant who retired as a terminal service agent for B.C. Ferries.
| Born | April 23, 1977 Port McNeill, British Columbia, Canada |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | ||
| Weight | 208 lb (94 kg; 14 st 12 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | New Jersey Devils Minnesota Wild Dallas Stars Vancouver Canucks Los Angeles Kings Florida Panthers |
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Mitchell’s grandfather, Les Mitchell, played amateur senior hockey and once earned a tryout with the New York Rangers during the Original Six-era.
His grandfather, Les, scored the championship-winning goal for the Nanaimo Clippers in 1945. Les Mitchell was reportedly the last person to skate on the ice at the Civic Arena in Nanaimo before it was torn down.
Mitchell was born and raised in Port McNeill, British Columbia, a small logging town on Vancouver Island.
He grew up working on the docks in his hometown unloading fish and cleaning equipment. He first began skating at the age of four and took figure skating.
Growing up as a Vancouver Canucks fan, his father would take him across to the mainland to see games at the Pacific Coliseum.
He played minor hockey as a winger with the North Island Eagles and won back-to-back double-A provincial titles in pee wee and bantam with the club.
At the age of 15, he left home after being recruited to play for Athol Murray College of Notre Dame, a high school in Wilcox, Saskatchewan.
Willie Mitchell Obituary
A news obituary of record producer Willie Mitchell that appeared in Section A Jan. 6 reported that he received a Trustees Award from the Grammy Foundation in 2008. The award was granted by the Recording Academy.
A trumpeter, Willie Mitchell signed with Hi Records of Memphis in 1959 and recorded several instrumental hits in the 1960s, including “Soul Serenade” and “20-75.”
Mitchell became vice president of Hi Records in 1971 and moved into producing and shepherding the careers of Green and singer Ann Peebles.
As bandleader with the Hi Rhythm Section and as a producer, arranger and songwriter, Mitchell melded jazz chords and R&B beats. He collaborated with Green on such hits as “Tired of Being Alone,” “Here I Am (Come and Take Me)” and “Let’s Stay Together.”
“With Al, I was looking for a specific sound,” Mitchell told the Memphis Commercial Appeal in 2007.
“And he was the only one that could hear jazz changes and really sing in that style. Once we got that together, I just kept making arrangements like that and that was just hit after hit.”
Willie Mitchell Tofino Resort
A resort on western Vancouver Island co-owned by former NHL player Willie Mitchell says it is taking steps to address “highly inappropriate behaviour” linked to an annual fishing tournament.
When asked about a tip that an incident had taken place during Tofino Resort and Marina’s annual “Race For the Blue” event, the resort confirmed it was providing support for staff, though it did not comment further on the nature of the allegations.
“We were extremely upset to hear about highly inappropriate behaviour connected to one of our annual events,” the resort said in a statement posted on its website, replacing other content about the fishing event.
“Our first concern is for our staff, and we are responding to the needs of those affected. We have brought in an interim manager and continue to take steps to ensure the absolute safety and wellbeing of our team.”
1909 Kitchen and the Hatch Waterfront Pub, located at the resort, said on their Instagram accounts the venues would be “temporarily closed” until Sunday, cancelling a series of concerts coinciding with the fishing event.
“The safety and well-being of our team takes the upmost priority during this time,” The Hatch wrote.
Contract
Willie Mitchell signed a 2 year / $8,500,000 contract with the Florida Panthers, including $8,500,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $4,250,000.
| Contract: | 2 yr(s) / $8,500,000 |
| Signing Bonus | – |
| Average Salary | $4,250,000 |
| Free Agent: | 2016 / UFA |
Willie Mitchell’s agent informed teams today that they are out of the race to sign him; Mitchell is going to sign a multi-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings.
The Kings have yet to announce the deal or the terms. However, look for the Kings to announce the signing soon.
Mitchell is the tough, rugged veteran defenseman that the Kings have been looking for.
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