Campus Celebrity – Matt Mangene: Signs NHL Contract, Devastating Loss to Black Bear Hockey
Going professional after many long years of hard work is the ultimate dream come true for any serious athlete. For Matt Mangene, this dream has become a reality.
After a break out season with 16 goals and 18 assists, Mangene proved that he is ready to play at the professional level. With his unparalleled speed and admirable dedication he has reached his goal a year early. He has decided to leave his UMaine Black Bears a season earlier than he expected, to sign an entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers.
He was given several offers from NHL teams such as the Washington Capitals, Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers, but Mangene chose the Flyers to be the best fit. They match the style of hockey that he plays, and will offer him great opportunities to play in the NHL.
Mangene’s family has been a huge influence and support system for him throughout his career, and although leaving school early was a tough decision to make, the support from his family ultimately lead him to his decision. “My family had a lot of influence in my decision. Over the last couple weeks of our season I was deciding back and forth between staying and leaving. As a family we believed it was the best for me to leave school and become a professional hockey player. It is my dream and goal to one day play in the NHL and this was the perfect time to chase that goal.”
As a free agent he was able to sign with any team he wanted making the signing process challenging. He met with management from both the Washington Capitals and the Boston Bruins. He also flew to Philadelphia to watch a Flyers game and meet with their organization. It took about a week after the Black Bears season ended for Mangene to make his decision to sign with the Flyers.
Of course the transition from playing at the college level to professional level is expected to be a tough one. However, Mangene seems to making the transition smoothly. “It is a totally different life style. Nothing is planned out for you. All of the accountability is up to you to get yourself ready for the upcoming games.”
Matt Mangene is only 23 years old and on track to graduate in the spring of next year. Receiving his degree is very important to him and his family, with only 4 core classes left to finish his degree he plans to finish next summer.
This summer he plans to move to Philadelphia to train, skate and workout with some of the players, giving him a chance to settle in and prepare for the upcoming season. He describes his last three years at UMaine the best years of his life, thanking the students and fans that have come out to support him and the University of Maine Black Bears each weekend.“I will always be a Black Bear and will miss the school a lot. I would like to thank my mom, dad, and sister, they have supported me through the highs and lows of my career and I couldn’t have gotten this far without them.”
Good luck Matt! HerCampus wishes you the best with your future!
Photo from:
http://www.hockeyeastonline.com/men/recaps12.php?mbc_mne1.j21