A Panthers win wasn’t the only special part of the team’s 2016 trip to West Point. During the team’s last trip to the Academy in 2014, Willie Mitchell was named captain following a team-building exercise. The tradition continued two years later with the selection of Derek MacKenzie as captain while on the West Point trip.

Willie Mitchell closed out his long, successful NHL career as the 8th captain in Panthers history. Though he was sidelined with injuries for much of his tenure with the Cats, Mitchell never stopped contributing advice and motivational speeches. A true captain.