Mismash excited for a new start with Tampa Bay

It was Fourth of July weekend and Grant Mismash was enjoying the holiday with some downtime at a cabin with a few friends. As Mismash was sitting down to eat his breakfast on Sunday morning, his phone began to ring. It was his agent on the other line.
"I actually didn't respond the first time," Mismash said. "Then the second time came around and I knew something was up."

Mismash picked up the phone and spoke with his agent, who told him that for the first time in his career, he'd been traded. Mishmash was now a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, along with Nashville defenseman Philippe Myers, after the Bolts sent defenseman Ryan McDonagh to the Predators.
"The business is the business and things are going to happen," Mismash said. "Once he told me the news, obviously I was a little speechless, but I was also excited. I was just feeling really eager and ready to get after it.
"It's a fresh start, so here we are."
Mismash, a 6-foot-1, 184-pound forward, spent his first day with the Lightning on Sunday going through some medical exams, equipment fitting, and fitness testing. On Monday morning, he'll get on the ice with his new team for the first time when Tampa Bay's 2022 Development Camp kicks off at TGH Ice Plex in Brandon.
"Everything happens for a reason," said Mismash. "I feel great being here. It's awesome. It's a new start. It's been really great so far just meeting a lot of the guys.
"I think the hockey world is just so great. There's a lot of good people here and everyone is so nice and open. It's been a lot of fun."
Mismash was Nashville's second-round pick (61st overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft. He plays a physical game and isn't afraid to go to the dirty areas, but he also has some offensive skill as well.
"I play with a good edge and I think I have a strong shot," Mismash said. "I feel like I have an elite wrist shot that I can use that in the open slot area or I can get loose, find open spots, and just rip the puck. I like to think I have good hands around the net and I can make some good passes.
"On the other side, I feel like I can instill confidence in my teammates and linemates. I try to be a good teammate and I always have a good attitude when I'm around the rink."
Now 23 years old, Mishmash has four years of college hockey under his belt. He skated in 117 career games at University of North Dakota, recording 71 points with 32 goals and 39 assists.
Last season, the Edina, Minnesota, native made his professional debut with the American Hockey League's Milwaukee Admirals. He played in 57 games and picked up 12 points with six goals and six assists.
The jump from college hockey to the AHL is a big one. Mismash went from playing 20 games at UND in 2020-21 to playing in nearly three times as many contests last season with Milwaukee.
"It's definitely a lifestyle change going from college to pro," Mismash said. "I just tried to be sponge and soak up all the information I could. I thought I did a good job with that.
"You're playing with 30-40-year-old guys that have kids and whatnot. It was really cool to get close with a lot of the older guys. I learned a lot."
For Mismash, a lot of those veteran teammates helped guide him and show him what it takes to be successful at the pro level. With the length of a full season in the pros, there's more than just the physical adversity players have to fight through. There's the mental grind as well.
"I think it's a big mental game, honestly," Mismash said. "Pro hockey, it's all about just finding ways to stay composed and stay in the present. You have to know who you are as a person and as a player. That was the biggest thing for me.
"This year, it's just about coming in with confidence and knowing that I can do the things that I'm capable of doing."
Mismash is certainly a capable player. Before heading to North Dakota, he played two years at USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. When Mismash arrived at 16 years old, he found himself on a team filled with a lot of great players, such as Quinn Hughes, Brady Tkachuk, and Josh Norris. In his first year at the NTDP, he led the team with 23 goals and ranked second in points with 44 in 58 games.
In year two, Mismash was tied for the team lead with 61 points (26G, 35A) in 65 games. His 26 goals were one shy of the team lead and his 35 assists ranked third.
For Mismash, the offense wasn't quite where he wanted it to be last season, but he learned a lot along the way. Going into his second year of pro hockey, Mismash feels like he has a much better grip on the mental side of the game.
"Last year I was in my own head for the first half of the year," said Mismash. "Hockey's obviously what we love and we want to do it for as long as we can, but once I kind of realized I have a life outside of the rink, that's when I really started to play with some confidence and just love the game more.
"I really started playing to have fun and I think it helped me a lot. It helped me play better and play looser."
With year two on the horizon, Mismash feels ready to attack his new opportunity head on and is looking forward to his fresh start with the Lightning.
"I want to keep it simple and just play as hard as I can," Mismash said. "Play to have fun. I think that's when I'm playing my best.
"I know I can play hockey and I know I can play with play with NHL players. I know I can play with AHL players. Whatever the case is, I know I can play at that level.
"Last year, I realized I play my best when I have that mentality and I don't put so much pressure on myself. That's what I want to go into this year and this opportunity with."
Mismash's new opportunity officially started on Sunday. The next step will come on Monday when he hits the ice for the first time in Lightning blue. The on-ice portions of Development Camp are free and open to the public for fans looking forward to seeing Mismash and other newcomers in action.
"It almost feels like I just got drafted again," said Mismash. "For me, I'm just going to work as hard as I can and have fun with it. I'm coming in with a good attitude and work ethic and I think things should work out well."