Lightning Acquire Ian Mitchell from Red Wings in Exchange for Forwards

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have acquired defenseman Ian Mitchell from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for forwards Michael Milne and Wojciech Stachowiak, as announced by Lightning Vice President and General Manager Julien BriseBois on March 12, 2026 . Mitchell will report to the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League.

Mitchell’s Background

Mitchell, 27, has recorded four goals and 20 points in 45 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season, maintaining a plus-27 rating . Throughout his AHL career, spanning 201 games with the Griffins, Providence Bruins, and Rockford IceHogs, the 6-foot, 195-pound defenseman has tallied 27 goals and 113 points, with a plus-51 rating and 10 game-winning goals .

Originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round (57th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft, Mitchell has appeared in 110 NHL games with the Blackhawks and Boston Bruins, registering four goals and 19 points whereas averaging 15:10 of ice time .

Trade Details

In exchange for Mitchell, the Red Wings receive forwards Michael Milne and Wojciech Stachowiak . Milne was acquired by the Lightning from Minnesota on December 28, 2025, and has two goals and four assists in 34 AHL games this season . Stachowiak, in his first professional season in North America, has nine goals and eight assists in 38 games with Syracuse and represented Germany at the 2026 Olympics, recording one assist in two games .

Mitchell signed a free agent contract with Detroit on July 1, 2025 .