[MR_BIGGS]

Willie Mitchell sent a resounding message to anyone willing to listen Monday.

Skating with several NHL players at UBC, the UFA defenceman wired a booming slapshot past the head of goaltender Martin Jones and shattered the glass behind the net.

Then moments later, while still sporting a giant grin on his face, he aimed again at the remaining fragments, finishing the job.

For a player whose career seemed to be jeopardy just months earlier, there's no better way to say “I'm back, baby”.

The hour-and-a-half session Monday was far from Mitchell's first venture back on the ice since suffering a concussion in January, having skated since early July.

I feel a lot more ready than I do usually at this time of the year," Mitchell said.

"I'm obviously flattered that a lot of teams are interested and fortunately enough, the main teams that are interested are teams that have a shot at winning it all and that's what it's all about."

Sounds like a guy that is motivated and wanting to prove himself...