Before coming to Dauphin to play for the Kings', Mitchell Joss played his competitive hockey in Winnipeg and he won hockey games, a lot of them.
The past two seasons, Joss was a part of the Winnipeg Wild that won the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League in back to back seasons. Before that, he played with the Winnipeg Monarchs for two seasons and joined the Winnipeg Twins for the season before that.
That's five total seasons, and Joss won a Championship in each and every one. Among many other things he was bringing to Dauphin, Joss was going to bring a winning culture to a city that was so hungry for wins.
"Every single season, we just had a great group of guys that really bonded together," said Joss. "We all worked together as a unit and we had some skill that allowed us to win it all."
Joss is coming off a great year last season. Not only did the team win Manitoba, but he had a great offensive showing.
In 48 games, he racked up 65 points (26G) which were a career-high. The opportunity came to make the Dauphin Kings' out of training camp and that's exactly what he did. Now, his first MJHL regular season is over and he suited up in 40 games and he put up 16 points (5G).
That total is fifth on the Kings' among rookies.
Mitchell's best game came back on February 28 where he scored two goals against the Neepawa Natives in a 4-2 win. It was his first ever two-goal game in his young career.
"I love it here in Dauphin. It's a great place, different than Winnipeg but I'm really enjoying it," said Joss. "The McCallum's have really made me feel right at home."
"I have a lot of confidence in myself now after that game," he added. "It took me a while to find my game here in junior hockey but it was definitely nice to get rolling."
Joss and the rest of the Kings' are now preparing for their first-round matchup with the Swan Valley Stampeders. That series starts on Friday at the Swan River Centennial Arena.
Game two will return to Dauphin on Sunday and that will be Mitchell's first home playoff game as a part of the Dauphin Kings' in what he hopes will be a long playoff run.
"All of the games against them were super close all season long," said Joss. "They are definitely beatable. We have to play really hard and we need to take their key guys away. If we do that, we should be able to have success."
Question & Answer with Joss:
What are your hobbies? I'm definitely a big fisher in the summer at the cabin. I love hanging out with my friends playing golf and playing video games.
Biggest fish you've caught? I caught a 26" pickerel one time.
What's a recent trip you've been on? I went to Vegas just before the season. I wasn't of age at the time but I still had a ton of fun and it's a great place.
All Joss did in Winnipeg was win hockey games. Now, he's helped the Kings' make the playoffs for the first time in four years.
