Silver linings for the Calgary Flames after slow start to season

Andrew Mangiapane: A bright spot on and off the ice

With three tallies in the goal column and a pair of assists, Mangiapane is off to the start a lot of Flames fans were hoping for. He’s found a decent groove early on; ideally Mangiapane builds on this start with consistent linemates (he’s bounced from the top line with Lindholm and Huberdeau to his familiar placement alongside Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman).

On the defensive side of things, Mangiapane owns the Flames’ second best on-ice expected goal differential with 2.5. In reality, 88 is a plus-4 skater through six games, a significant contrast to the team’s top expected on-ice expected goal differential of 2.8, which is held by Huberdeau, who, despite what the advanced stats suggest, is actually a minus-5. In short, even with an impossible-to-perpetuate 42.9 shooting percentage, Mangiapane’s been on the right side of the red light more times than not – and the data suggests that should be the case.

Beyond his hot start on the scoresheet, Mangiapane and his fiancée Claudia recently launched an initiative to benefit underprivileged youth in the Youth Centres of Calgary by providing the opportunity for them to learn the fundamentals of hockey in an after-school program called Mange’s Breadsticks. The program is funded personally by Andrew and Claudia with the Calgary Flames Foundation and the Calgary Italian Open Society matching 100% of funding. Here’s more information on Mange’s Breadsticks directly from the Calgary Flames’ official press release:

"Growing up as an underdog, Andrew wanted to support kids who felt the same, and provide them with the opportunities to learn to play hockey. “Our vision is to play a role in breaking down barriers in the game of hockey and supporting kids who are told they can’t, they don’t have access, or that hockey is too expensive,” said Andrew Mangiapane. “Hockey should be available to everyone who loves the game or wants to learn. Calgary has given so much to Claudia and I, and we want to show our love back to this supportive community and help all the underdogs out there play the game we love so much.”"

Following a successful off-season shoulder surgery, it’s a delight to see a healthy Andrew Mangiapane. I’m proud of the guy and Claudia for what they’re doing in Calgary, whether that’s hockey with the big boys or hockey with kids in the community. Here’s to the underdog. Thanks for being awesome, Mange.