Detroit Red Wings Prospects to Watch: Anthony Mantha
After the 2013 NHL Draft, many thought that Anthony Mantha would quickly be the Detroit Red Wings next big start. Maybe he would spend a season or two down with their AHL team, The Grand Rapids Griffins. It is thought that in two to three years he could be up in Detroit helping the rebuild that the team is seemingly going through at the moment.
However, in this years prospect camp up in Traverse City the young 20 year-old was taking part in the annual Detroit Red Wings prospect tournament. There Mantha broke his tibia. It kept Mantha out until the month of November, and coming back from it seemed a bit difficult for the young prospect. Mantha did come back and soon began to adapt to the AHL style of play.
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Before Mantha was taking in the draft by the Red Wings, he was playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the Val-d’Or Foreurs. He was drafted 76th overall by Val-d’Or in the 2010 QMJHL draft. In three full seasons with Val-d’Or, Mantha saw great success on the ice. In the 11-12 season Mantha netted 22 goals and 29 assits in 63 games.
After that season however was when Mantha really kicked it up a notch. In the next season the QMJHL player saw even more success scoring 50 goals and 39 assists in 67 games. The following season Mantha racked up 120 points, with 57 points and 63 assists. Each full season that Mantha was with the Val-d’Or he made the playoffs and it wasn’t until his last season that he finally won the President’s cup against the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.
Mantha also spent some time playing for team Canada when World Juniors rolled around. In 2012 he won a spot on the U18 team Canada team and helped them win a bronze medal in the Czech Republic. In 2014 Mantha again found himself on the Team Canada in World Juniors, this time in Malmo Sweden. The team didn’t medal, but did walk away with a fourth place finish. That 2014 was Mantha ‘s best in international play. He scored 5 goals along with his 6 assists.
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In October after the draft Mantha signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Red Wings. However, the road would get tough for the 20 year-old. He broke his tibia in the Red Wings prospect tournament in September and was out until November. He did finally get to make his professional debut, against the Texas Stars. In his second game also against the Stars Mantha scored his first professional goal.
It will be interesting to see what this kid can bring to the table for the Red Wings. There is a reason this kid was taken 20th overall in the draft. He is fantastic skater and he has shown he can score at any given time. He is dangerous with the puck and can push his way through skaters on the ice to get to the goal and score. The injury slowed him down a bit but this kid could be up with the Red Wings in the near future.
What do you know of Anthony Mantha? Are you excited to one day see him up with the Red Wings? Let us know below and don’t forget to stay connected to Detroit Jock City for all your Detroit Red Wings news as the off-season continues on.
Next: Check out what Teemu Pulkkinen has done this season