Alex Mitchell out for best of both worlds with Bulldogs and Wild

TWO TRIBES: Defender Alex Mitchell has signed a two-way deal between the Bulldogs and Division One North outfit Widnes Wild for the 2023-24 campaign. Picture: Podium Prints.

BULLDOGS’ defender Alex Mitchell is hoping he continues to benefit from playing at two different levels in 2023-24 after agreeing a two-way deal again with NIHL North One outfit Widnes Wild.

Having come through the junior system from a young age - including captaining the Under-18s in the Covid-shortened 2019-20 season - Alex first made the step up to Bulldogs NIHL the previous year, posting a goal and two assists in 17 appearances.

The following season brought another dozen games at senior level with a goal and an assist and, once the English ame returned to some mind of normality after the pandemic, he continued his progression under head coach Andy Brown.

His performances brought him to the attention of the Wild in 2022-23, the season proving to be Alex’s busiest to date, splitting his time between the two clubs, posting nine assists in 23 games for the Dogs, while icing in 26 league and play-off games for the Wild.

It meant that another two-way deal was the obvious way to go for all three parties for the 2023-24 campaign.

“Coming in on a two-way last season helped me gain experience, and a first-hand view of what it takes to play at this level, whilst still receiving important game time with my home-town team Bradford Bulldogs,” Alex told the Wild website.

“After speaking with Joey (Coulter, Wild player-coach), we decided that continuing my two-way for the upcoming season would be best for my development.”

Bulldogs’ head coach Andy Brown said the agreement between the two clubs was another example of the Bulldogs’ determination to help provide opportunities for its up-and-coming players to go on and play at a higher level as soon and as often as possible.

“From juniors through to seniors, Alex has shown what a quality player he is for us for a number of years now and it was only a matter of time before he made the step up,” said Andy.

“Last year saw him take that opportunity with Widnes and I know he really impressed the management team over there. We’d obviously love to see Alex in a Bulldogs shirt more often than not, but the more he can play at the higher level, the better it is for him moving forward.

“It’s great he will get another chance to continue his development at Division One level over there, but he knows there will also be regular ice time for him with us still in North Two as and when he is available.”

Joey Coulter, the Wild’s player-coach, believes 2023-24 could be a breakout year for Alex at the higher level.

“He’s a young defensive player with a bright future,” he told the Wild website. “I know Alex has been putting in the extra hours this summer and he’s coming to Widnes to make a statement.

“He’s a natural skater and solid on his feet, and old school style defender that plays a physical game and we want to work with him to find that next level.

“Mitch already has the tools, we’ll be spending a lot of time with him tweaking the finer details and if he wants it bad enough, I think this will be a breakout year for him.”