Undrafted center Matt Mangene(57) entered his third pro season with a bit of uncertainty where he would skate next.
He chose to take the one-year option with Florida Everblades of the ECHL for 2014/2015.
The 5’11” 190 lbs. forward was originally on a 2-year entry level deal with Philadelphia Flyers but was a minor Adirondack Phantoms‘ piece of a late season trade that shuffled him to New York Islanders‘ system, reporting exclusively to Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Set to become a restricted free agent in need of a new deal, he was left unqualified.
He appeared in more AHL games last season than he had in his rookie campaign but ended up with less points and a little more feist in his game.
The 25-year has shown flashes of scoring prowess in the past, especially in his final year at University Of Maine and early in Northeastern US Junior Hockey.
It’s a good bet the 25-year old will start putting up points on the score sheet once again in a league he’s familiar with from 20 games played (1-10-11) with Trenton Titans and Stockton Thunder but will it be enough to earn him a recall?
Original story: 9/27-14
After scoring 4 goals and 13 assists in 27 ECHL games, the converted defenseman was loaned after a couple of months in the lower league to Texas Stars and never left.
Six weeks in he was given an standard player contract.
As a blue liner he scored 2 goals and set new AHL career highs with 15 assists and 17 points in 36 games, while firing a 60 shorts on net from the point.
For 2015/2016 the now 26-year old signs a new deal to continue with Texas and will need to continue the hard work but is likely see his totals increase again.