In their inaugural season of 1972–73, Mikkelson emerged as one of the icetime leaders on the blueline for the Islanders, and posted 1 goal and 10 assists for 11 points in 72 games.

Despite being assigned to the minors late in the year and appearing in only 59 games, he ended up posting an all-time NHL worst plus/minus rating of -82.

He has spent NHL time with the Ducks, Calgary Flames, Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins.

His daughter Meaghan plays for the Canadian national women's team, with whom she won a gold medal at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics.

[1] After his NHL career Mikkelson finished his senior year at the University of Manitoba, earning a degree in commerce, and went to work at IBM.