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It’s been more than a decade since Ross Mitton first laced up his skates at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow. He was 13 then, a kid from Copiague Harbor chasing hockey dreams.
Now, at 24, he’s skating those same rinks — only this time in an Islanders jersey.
“It’s special being home,” said Mitton, who signed with the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport late last season after wrapping up his collegiate career at Maine. “It’s a dream come true. It’s really fun being here.”
Back on home ice
Mitton is one of 38 players taking part in the Islanders development camp this week. On Tuesday, he signed a one-year, two-way deal and is expected to return to Bridgeport for the 2025-26 season.
He made quite the debut last year — scoring his first professional goal in his very first pro game.
“I’m just way more comfortable to be here,” he said. “A lot of the guys from Bridgeport are here and that makes it an easy transition and I’m super grateful for this experience.”
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The 5-foot-10, 192-pound forward is getting a front-row look at the Isles’ newest wave of prospects, including this year’s first overall pick, Matthew Schaefer.
“Everyone is outstanding,” Mitton said. “I know a bunch of the guys in Bridgeport but a lot of the new guys like Eklund, Aitcheson and Schaefer… they’re really great. They’re learning a lot and they’re just taking it all in.”
Reunited on the ice
One of those familiar faces in Bridgeport last season — and now at development camp — was childhood friend Marshall Warren, a defenseman Mitton grew up playing alongside at Portledge School in Locust Valley.
“It’s pretty special,” Warren said. “He’s one of my best buddies. I don’t think people know how close we are. That was the coolest thing to see him from going to math class together to walking the halls and car pools to eventually going to the next level.”
Mitton said Warren helped make the transition to Bridgeport seamless.
“I played with Marshall growing up my whole life,” he said. “He made the transition really easy for me. He took me under his wing.”
More: Islanders new, top prospects hit the ice Monday for development camp
Warren added: “It’s pretty surreal. He’s a heck of a player but he’s a better person. He always has a smile on his face. I think it’s a testament to his parents and how much work they put in.”
Mitton and Warren aren’t the only Long Islanders in the mix.
Bayville native Brandon Chabrier, another defenseman, is also participating in the Islanders development camp.
“Me and Ross just played together this past year (at Maine) so we hung out every day,” Chabrier told Newsday in a recent interview.
The trio is expected to return to Bridgeport this fall — and the hope is they’ll stay teammates, or perhaps even get that coveted call-up to the Islanders together
The uncle who started it all
Mitton credits his uncle — and now agent — John Kofi Osei-Tutu with introducing him to the sport.
“He’s the one who taught me how to play hockey,” said Mitton. “I watched him growing up. I sat in the stands. He was number 44 and I was glued to watching him my whole life. He fell in love with navigating where I was going to play so that’s what made him become an agent.”
A Long Island hockey journey
Mitton turns 25 this Saturday. His hockey road started at the Portledge School and continued with the Long Island Royals, where he tallied 58 goals and 37 assists over two seasons. He also skated with the North Jersey Avalanche and a trio of USHL teams — Fargo Force, Lincoln Stars and Omaha Lancers — before heading to Colgate.
After earning his degree, he transferred to the University of Maine, where he earned an MBA and played his final collegiate season.
“I got a great education (at Colgate),” Mitton said. “I went to Maine… playing in front of that student section was awesome. It’s a crazy experience and one of the best places to play in college hockey.”
He grew up … a Rangers fan?
We had to ask.
“I grew up a Rangers fan but I probably went to more Islanders games,” Mitton admitted. “The atmosphere at Nassau Coliseum was outstanding. I miss going to those games there. I love wearing this sweater. I never had a hatred towards the Islanders. It’s more of a dream come true playing for the Islanders… the hometown team.”
Safe to say, he’s fully embraced the orange and blue.
Eyes on the future
— Greater Long Island 📰 (@Greater_LI) July 2, 2025
Development camp wraps up Thursday morning after Wednesday’s Blue vs Orange scrimmage. Then it’s time for training camp — and a fresh start for Bridgeport under new head coach Rocky Thompson.
“We have a big change of scenery with a lot of new staff in the building,” Mitton said. “Just hoping for a better start to the year and hopefully a better finish as well. We had a down year last year. It was a great learning experience and I just hope to be a better player and a better person as well.”
From the rinks of Long Island to skating in an Islanders sweater, Mitton is proof that dreams do come true — and sometimes, you really can go home again.
Top: Ross Milton at Islanders training camp in East Meadow. (Credit: New York Islanders/Dennis DaSilva)
