Typically he would be gearing up for regionals, looking to qualify for the B.C./Yukon Sectionals and potentially on his way back to nationals.
Instead, he begins the fall/winter season with a major international event.
The scheduling conflict means Mitchell will be advancing directly to Sectionals, slated for midNovember in Kelowna. Murphy promises his skater will have plenty in the tank for the balance of the season.
"Reaching the podium at the nationals is totally attainable," said Murphy.
"After (Estonia) we will taper it down a bit and make sure (his training) is properly timed out. But there is more technical work to add to his programs before nationals.
"He is definitely ahead of schedule. He is going to be up against mostly 17and18-year-olds in junior men's. This is supposed to be a development year for him.
To be competing at the international level is an advantage for his long-term goals."
Connaught Skating Club's brightest young star is getting set to step onto international ice for the first time in his promising career.
Mitchell Gordon, who was crowned Canada's Novice Men's champion earlier this year, will be representing his country at an International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix Event in Tallinn, Estonia, Oct. 10-16.
The 15-year-old is one of just five male skaters selected by Skate Canada based on strong performances at competitions held over the summer.
The invitation also reflects his rapid progress after moving onto to the Junior Men's level soon after his victory at the Canadian Championships. Mitchell has been spending endless hours working with Connaught coaches, Keegan and Eileen Murphy, prior to his departure for Europe.
"After I won nationals, I was more focused on developing new skills more than anything else so there really wasn't much thought put into (representing Canada)," said Mitchell, following a training session at Minoru Arenas.
"By the end of the spring, I realized it was a possibility based on the number of points I had to achieve.
"I was very excited when I got the news. It will be my first time out of North America and my first real experience with a time change competition."
Mitchell's relationship with the Murphys began when he worked his way up to the competitive level at the Sunset Skating Club.
When Keegan left to become Director of Programs at Connaught, Mitchell didn't hesitate to follow him.
It didn't take Keegan long to realize he was working with a special talent who was mature beyond his years and understood what it took to succeed.
"Mitchell has a very good gift in that he is generally interested in fixing the things he needs to fix," said Keegan.
"It's very rare for 11-and-12year-olds to want to go there mentally. It's usually when they are 14 or 15 when they realize it's important.
"Right from the time I began working with him, it wasn't like pulling teeth. He understood it was important and he wouldn't have had the success he has had without it."
The competition in Estonia has somewhat thrown Mitchell's schedule upside down.
