When the Edmonton Oilers fell short against the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final last month, it wasn’t for lack of star power. Their top scorers pushed the limits of offensive production, but the depth scoring and tenacity that Florida rolled out shift after shift proved decisive. This week’s signing of Andrew Mangiapane might not have made national headlines, but it’s exactly the type of savvy move that edges a contender closer to the summit.
Mangiapane is a player who never needed the spotlight to thrive. Undrafted in his first year of eligibility, he built his reputation on persistence and the ability to impact games in multiple ways. His time with the Barrie Colts in the OHL was the first glimpse of that blend of skill and drive. Over three junior seasons, he piled up 210 points in 195 games, including back-to-back 100-point campaigns that forced NHL teams to take notice. Scouts who once questioned his size couldn’t ignore the relentless forechecking, the quick hands in tight spaces, and a knack for finishing that translated year after year.
“Every time you thought you had him contained, he’d slip under a stick or find a pocket of ice,” remembered one former OHL coach. “He just wouldn’t stop coming at you.”
As a rookie in Barrie, Mangiapane made an immediate impression. He scored his first OHL goal before Halloween, earned power play time by midseason, and finished with 51 points—a mark that made people realize he was more than a depth piece. Colts head coach Dale Hawerchuk once said, “He was the hardest working guy on the ice, practice or games. The work ethic set him apart.”
His second year cemented his breakout. Skating on a line with Joseph Blandisi and Kevin Labanc, he erupted for 104 points and became one of the most dangerous offensive threats in the league. The trio dominated possession, and Mangiapane’s 43 goals came in every imaginable scenario—on the rush, off broken plays, cleaning up rebounds around the crease. His ability to produce without relying on elite size or draft status earned widespread respect.
In Calgary, Mangiapane evolved into a trusted two-way winger. His best NHL season came in 2021–22, when he buried 35 goals and established himself as one of the league’s more underrated finishers. Though his production dipped last year, there’s a consensus that he can flourish in the right situation—especially if the minutes and linemates fit his style.
That’s where Edmonton comes in. Against Florida, the Oilers sometimes struggled to sustain offensive zone time beyond their first line. Mangiapane’s ability to retrieve pucks, pressure defenders, and create chaos down low could be a direct antidote. He’s also an ideal candidate to slot alongside skilled centers like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Leon Draisaitl, where his quick release and hockey sense could generate secondary scoring that was too often absent in the playoffs.
One veteran Western Conference scout put it this way: “You watch Mangiapane and it’s never about flash. It’s about details—stick position on the forecheck, battling for inside ice, staying connected to the puck. He’s the kind of player who shows up every game, and in the playoffs, that’s gold.”
Kris Knoblauch will have options for how to deploy him. Mangiapane can move up and down the lineup, kill penalties, or contribute on the second power play unit. His versatility is exactly what Edmonton lacked when the stakes rose in June.
Another scout who watched him through junior and into the NHL added: “He plays with the same chip on his shoulder he had in Barrie. That’s why he’s lasted. He’s still got something to prove.”
At its core, this signing is about complementing Edmonton’s elite talent with the type of worker who drags teammates into the fight. The Panthers had that in spades last spring. Now, the Oilers have added some of their own.
Sidebar: The Barrie Colts Years
Mangiapane’s OHL story is a reminder that pedigree doesn’t always predict performance. After being passed over in the 2013 draft, he earned a camp invite with Barrie and quickly turned it into a roster spot. His rookie year showed flashes—51 points in 68 games—but it was his next two seasons that cemented his reputation as a steal-in-waiting.
He scored 43 and 51 goals in back-to-back seasons, driving Barrie’s offense alongside Kevin Labanc and Joseph Blandisi. His line was a nightmare for defenders because they played so fast and hunted pucks in every zone. “It felt like they were on a power play even at five-on-five,” said an opposing OHL assistant coach. “Mangiapane was the engine.”
Beyond the scoring, it was the intangibles that impressed. Teammates described a player who never coasted through drills and took every rep seriously. “He set the tone.” “If the young guys didn’t match his intensity, they stood out in the wrong way.”
When the Flames finally drafted him in the sixth round, it felt overdue.
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: The Barrie Colts Years
Mangiapane’s OHL story is a reminder that pedigree doesn’t always predict performance. After being passed over in the 2013 draft, he earned a camp invite with Barrie and quickly turned it into a roster spot. His rookie year showed flashes—51 points in 68 games—but it was his next two seasons that cemented his reputation as a steal-in-waiting. He scored 43 and 51 goals in back-to-back years, driving Barrie’s offense alongside future NHLers like Kevin Labanc. Coaches praised his tireless motor and the way he hunted pucks on every shift. When the Flames finally drafted him in the sixth round, it felt overdue.
Want More Stories Like This?
Get exclusive stories, behind-the-scenes photos, and insights into the players shaping hockey history.
