Q & A WITH CAPTAIN MITCHELL

The Regina Pats are back home and set to welcome the Prince Albert Raiders to the Brandt Centre Friday night at 7 p.m. on 620 CKRM. The Voice of the Pats Dan Plaster had this visit with Pats captain Garrett Mitchell today.DP:

The team earned three of eight possible points on the road trip but played well...

MITCHELL: Even if you go back to the Calgary game (an OT loss) our first period was great and we took the game over. We had a couple slips and they capitalized. I think in Red Deer the next night, it was one of our best games we've played as whole throughout the year. It's definitely coming. It's a huge learning curve with a lot of young guys but it's starting to come.

DP: Do you feel like an old man on this team now?

MITCHELL: I still think I'm a kid but I look around and since I was 16, I'm the only guy who's still here and there are only three guys from when I was 17. I'm an older guy now (19) and guys do look up to what we do. It's a good feeling.

DP: Has being a captain been difficult?

MITCHELL: I know for myself, my leadership is on the ice. Definitely in the room too, guys look at me and the older guys who've been around the league. I do see myself as a kid sometimes but in the big scheme of things I'm one of the older guys here.

DP: How beneficial has practice been this week with all the new players?

MITCHELL: Any time you add three new guys it's definitely a shock. They don't know the systems, schemes or what's expected. Another day of practice will be good for us and get ready for P.A.

DP: You're being asked about the trade deadline. Does that cross you mind?

MITCHELL: No. As a hockey player, moves are always going to happen. We can't control that as a player. You just have to do your job. I see myself as a Regina Pat as of now. I love the city and the team so we'll see where things take us.

DP: Have you been talking with the Washington Capitals about a contract?

MITCHELL: There's always talks going back and forth. I can't think about that too much. When you do think about it, you get in trouble. You need to think about what you're doing now. I try not to think about it too much.

DP: You've got three straight games against Prince Albert. Does it feel like a playoff series?

MITCHELL: Definitely. We look at is as we need the next two because of the points. That's where our focus is. We have to take the first one first, and then look towards the second one.