The AHL All-Star Classic has passed just as quickly as it arrived. Fans now wait for the second half of the 2024-25 season to begin. More specifically, fans of the Providence Bruins. The team is 24-14-4-1 (53 points) after 43 games played. They sit eight points behind the Atlantic Division leader Hershey Bears. As we wait for the second half of the season to get here, who are the three underrated players for the P-Bruins so far?
3 Underrated P-Bruins
Ian Mitchell
If readers remember the “3 Providence Bruins to Watch” article before their two-game set against the Cleveland Monsters, Ian Mitchell was one of them. The 26-year-old St. Albert, AB, defenseman has a nice mix of offense and defense for the P-Bruins. Mitchell has that dual skillset which has recently shown why people need to talk more about him. During the two-game set against the Monsters, he scored a goal in the first game in the team’s 4-2 win on Jan. 31.
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In 37 games so far for the P-Bruins this season, Mitchell has three goals and 21 points. He has already tied his P-Bruins high for assists (18) while he is only three goals (six) and points (24) away from tying those marks. Regarding his career, he is 14 points away from tying (35), six assists (24), and eight goals (11). Mitchell set all of those career highs with the Rockford IceHogs during the 2021-22 season.
While Mitchell might not reach his goal total, he is more than capable of tying and passing his assist and point total. He leads all P-Bruins defensemen in shots (80), which is also tied for fourth on the team. Furthermore, he also leads all P-Bruins defensemen in points this season.
Mitchell is someone who head coach Ryan Mougenel can rely on in all situations for the P-Bruins this season. He is an effective two-way defenseman who has a sneaky shot, especially when he has two power play and two game-winning goals. Mitchell is solid defensively, is the main cog in the top power play unit, and is an elite playmaker. Someone who’s a solid two-way defenseman with tons of more upside. If there is someone you need on the blueline, it’s him.
Tyler Pitlick
If there is anyone who’s having a career year for the P-Bruins, it’s Minneapolis, MN native Tyler Pitlick. The 33-year-old forward is on pace to have the best season of his career in the American Hockey League (AHL). In 32 games, he has 12 goals and 22 points for the P-Bruins.
His career highs across all offensive categories are 12 goals (2024-25), 16 assists (2011-12), and 23 points (2011-12). Both assists and points came in the same season where he played for the Oklahoma Barons. The 12 goals are during this current season for the P-Bruins, his first season with double-digit goals in the AHL. Pitlick is only six assists and one point away from tying his career highs in those departments. Furthermore, he has a career-high plus-eight rating. His 22.2% shooting percentage is the highest of his career as well and the first time over the 20% plateau.
Pitlick is someone who’s been relied upon for high-level situations and on the power play for the P-Bruins. While he is eighth on the team in points, he is tied for second in goals with Riley Tufte. Every team needs underrated depth scoring, and the P-Bruins have that in journeyman Pitlick in his first season with the team.
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John Farinacci
Another underrated forward for the P-Bruins is Red Bank, NJ native, John Farinacci. The almost 24-year-old has six goals and 23 points in 39 games for the 2024-25 season. He is in his second full professional season, both with Providence. 2023-24 saw him finish with 12 goals, 26 assists, and 38 points in 71 games played.
Farinacci had 103 shots with an 11.7 SH%. Currently, he has 45 shots with a 13.3 SH% in 39 games. He is already halfway to matching his goal total (six), nine assists, and 15 points. Farinacci usually plans in the top nine and is a sneaky forward for Mougenel who could move him up and down the lineup.
While there is still a long way to go in his development, Farinacci has shown he has tons of upside to his game. He is sixth on the team in points and tied for fifth in assists. For someone who’s only in his second professional season, he is someone who can come up big for the P-Bruins in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Teams need sneaky depth scoring, and Farinacci fits that bill.
P-Bruins Back Saturday
The P-Bruins are back on Saturday, Feb. 8 versus the Springfield Thunderbirds to kick off the second half of the season. The game is set for a 7 p.m. Eastern start time. Fans can watch it as the AHL Game of the Week on FloHockey. Also, fans can watch for free on the AHL’s Facebook, YouTube, and X pages.
