Casey Mittelstadt returned to the USHL with a statement last weekend, tallying six points and plus-two rating in three games for the Green Bay Gamblers. On Monday he was named the league's Player of the Week.
The forward from Eden Prairie scored two goals and had an assist in his first game back with the team since Nov. 12 and just a week after his Minnesota high school hockey state championship dreams were spoiled in the semifinals.
Eden Prairie also lost in the 2016 Class 2A state title game to Wayzata, motivating Mittelstadt to return for his senior year and a chance at redemption. The Eagles were the 2017 tournament's top seed, but fell to eventual champion Grand Rapids 3-2 in the semifinals.
Eden Prairie finished in third place and Mittelstadt won Minnesota's Mr. Hockey award. It appears, though, the Gophers recruit and projected first-round NHL draft pick has moved on from the high school heartache.
JASON GONZALEZ
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