Kevin Mandolese

Kevin Mandolese
Born (2000-08-22) August 22, 2000
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
AHL team
Former teams		 Laval Rocket
Ottawa Senators
HKM Zvolen
NHL draft 157th overall, 2018
Ottawa Senators
Playing career 2021–present

Kevin Mandolese (born August 22, 2000) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League (AHL). He was selected in the sixth round, 157th overall, by the Ottawa Senators in the 2018 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

Junior

Growing up in Blainville, Quebec, Mandolese played minor hockey for the Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix in the Québec Midget AAA League (QMAAA) before being selected by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) entry draft.[1] He recorded his first career QMJHL win on October 9, 2016, in a 5–3 victory over the Charlottetown Islanders.[2]

During his sophomore QMJHL season in 2017–18, Mandolese posted a goals against average (GAA) of 3.46 and a .884 save percentage (SV%). As a result of his play, Mandolese was ranked second amongst all North American goaltenders eligible for the annual National Hockey League (NHL) entry draft.[3] After being selected by the Ottawa Senators in 2018 (157th overall), he attended the team's rookie camp before returning to the Screaming Eagles.[4]

Over the course of his final year of major junior in 2019–20, Mandolese experienced a breakout season during the shortened campaign and became the third Eagles goaltender to play in his 150th regular-season game, behind Marc-André Fleury and Olivier Roy.[5] Collectively, he led all goaltenders league-wide in SV% and ranked third in GAA. For his efforts, he was named as finalist for the CHL Goaltender of the Year Award.[6] He, along with teammate Egor Sokolov, also became the first two franchise players to be simultaneous league First Team All-Stars.[7] On April 13, 2020, Mandolese signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Senators organization.[8]

Professional

Initially assigned to the Senators' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the Belleville Senators to begin the 2020–21 season,[9] Mandolese earned his first professional win in a 3–2 victory over the Toronto Marlies at Canadian Tire Centre on May 21, 2021.[10] That September, he was invited to the Senators' 2021 training camp,[11] but was ultimately sent to Belleville for the 2021–22 season.[12] Mandolese also briefly played with the Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL.[13]

After splitting time between Belleville and the ECHL's Allen Americans to begin the 2022–23 season,[14] Mandolese was recalled by the Senators on January 26, 2023, following injuries to goaltenders Cam Talbot and Mads Søgaard.[15] However, after interim starter Anton Forsberg was himself injured, he was called upon to man the crease and subsequently made his NHL debut on February 14, 2023, against the New York Islanders. Stopping 46 of 48 shots on goal, Mandolese secured the 3–2 victory in a shootout.[16] Thereafter, he made his second start in a 3–1 loss to the Boston Bruins on February 20,[17] prior to returning to the AHL ranks.[18] Being recalled again the following month, Mandolese appeared in his third game for the Senators in a 5–1 loss to the Calgary Flames on March 12.[19]

Despite attending Ottawa's 2023 training camp, Mandolese was assigned to Belleville for much of the 2023–24 season.[20] He was recalled by Ottawa and remained on their active roster from January 31 to February 13, but did not see any game action.[21]

In the following offseason, Mandolese, now a pending restricted free agent, was traded by the Senators along with a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Colorado Avalanche on July 15, 2024.[21] The following day, he agreed to a one-year, two-way contract extension for the 2024–25 season.[22] Mandolese was subsequently placed on waivers during training camp and joined the Avalanche's AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, for the 2024–25 season.[23]

As an unrestricted free agent from the Avalanche at the conclusion of his contract, Mandolese went unsigned over the summer free agency period. On September 28, 2025, he was signed to a professional tryout (PTO) with the Laval Rocket.[24] After being released by the Rocket, Mandolese then joined the Charlotte Checkers, top affiliate of the Florida Panthers, on a PTO basis in mid-October.[25] Making a lone appearance for the Checkers on November 8, 2025, he was later released and was signed under similar circumstances by the Syracuse Crunch in early December.[26] By month's end, Mandolese agreed to terms overseas with HKM Zvolen of the Slovak Extraliga for the remainder of the 2025–26 season.[27]

After just a single season abroad, Mandolese ultimately returned to North America, signing a one-year AHL contract with the Laval Rocket on July 1, 2026.[28]

International play

Internationally, Mandolese first represented Hockey Canada as part of team Canada Red at the 2016 World U-17 Hockey Challenge where his team ultimately finished in sixth place.[29][30]

In April 2018, he was named to the national under-18 team for the annual IIHF World U18 Championships,[31] but did not appear in tournament play.[32]

Personal life

Born in Ottawa,[33] Mandolese and his family moved to Blainville located on Montreal's North Shore when he was six years old.[34] While playing in the QMJHL, he attended Cape Breton University and majored in business.[35]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
SeasonTeamLeague GPWLOTLMINGASOGAASV% GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
2015–16 Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix QMAAA 2821331,5416032.34.910 10645823213.30.899
2016–17Cape Breton Screaming EaglesQMJHL 2716801,4698503.47.890 3021491204.84.876
2017–18Cape Breton Screaming EaglesQMJHL 37151321,7696313.46.884 5143072003.91.875
2018–19Cape Breton Screaming EaglesQMJHL 50291252,84613632.87.895 11566882912.53.916
2019–20Cape Breton EaglesQMJHL 3726812,1158222.33.925 ————————
2020–21Belleville SenatorsAHL 93605063404.03.888 ————————
2021–22Belleville SenatorsAHL 179508854603.12.901 ————————
2021–22Atlanta GladiatorsECHL 61413591602.68.916 ————————
2022–23Belleville SenatorsAHL 176831,0075603.33.890 ————————
2022–23Ottawa SenatorsNHL 31201821003.29.916 ————————
2022–23Allen AmericansECHL 75104101802.64.927 9454982613.13.914
2023–24Belleville SenatorsAHL 23109311335813.07.901 ————————
2023–24Allen AmericansECHL 2020119703.53.918 ————————
2024–25Colorado EaglesAHL 19116010455012.87.903 ————————
2025–26Charlotte CheckersAHL 110060202.00.933 ————————
2025–26Syracuse CrunchAHL 110060101.00.933 ————————
2025–26HKM ZvolenSlovak 117406633503.17.914 202120502.51.688
NHL totals 31201821003.29.916 ————————

International

Year Team Event Result GPWLTMINGASOGAASV%
2016 Canada Red U17 6th 3120176612.04.931
2018 Canada U18 5th DNP
Junior totals 3120176612.04.931

Awards and honours

Award Year Ref
CHL
CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game 2018 [36]
QMJHL
First All-Star Team 2020 [37]
Goaltender of the Year 2020 [38]

References

  1. ↑ "2016 QMJHL Draft Recap". Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. June 6, 2016. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Eagles Win 5–3 as Mandolese Records 1st Career QMJHL Win". Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. October 9, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via CHL.ca.
  3. ↑ "2018 NHL CS Final Draft Ranking - NA/Int'l Goaltenders". TSN.ca. April 16, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Six Screaming Eagles Attending NHL Rookie Camps". Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. September 8, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2026 – via CHL.ca.
  5. ↑ Fraser, Jeremy (March 9, 2020). "Cape Breton Eagles' Mandolese plays 150th career regular season game". The Chronicle Herald. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  6. ↑ "2019-20 CHL Award Finalists: Goaltender of the Year presented by Vaughn". Canadian Hockey League. May 19, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2026 – via CHL.ca.
  7. ↑ Fraser, Jeremy (May 22, 2020). "Mandolese, Sokolov make Cape Breton Eagles history with first all-star team selections; McCormick named to second all-star team". Cape Breton Post. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Senators sign goaltender Kevin Mandolese to entry-level contract". Ottawa Senators. April 13, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via NHL.com.
  9. ↑ "Ottawa Senators announce 23-player opening night roster". Ottawa Senators. January 13, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via NHL.com.
  10. ↑ Fraser, Jeremy (March 20, 2021). "Former Eagle Mandolese collects first career professional win". Cape Breton Post. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  11. ↑ Raymond, Ted (September 21, 2021). "Sens training camp set to begin without unsigned Tkachuk". CTV News. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  12. ↑ Sens Communications [@Media_Sens] (October 3, 2021). "1/3 Roster update: The #Sens have released the following players from training camp. The group will report to @BellevilleSens training camp Monday:

    Jonathan Aspirot
    Jacob Bernard-Docker
    Max Guenette
    Mark Kastelic
    Kevin Mandolese
    Cole Reinhardt
    Egor Sokolov
    Lassi Thomson"     (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ↑ "Goaltender Mandolese Reassigned to Atlanta from Belleville" (Press release). Atlanta Gladiators. November 29, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2023 – via OurSportsCentral.com.
  14. ↑ "Kevin Mandolese Assigned to Allen by Ottawa from Belleville". Allen Americans. April 12, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Ice Chips: Senators recall G Mandolese from AHL". TSN.ca. January 26, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  16. ↑ Charles, Scott (February 14, 2023). "Mandolese leads Senators over Islanders in NHL debut". CBC Sports. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  17. ↑ Golen, Jimmy (February 20, 2023). "Bruins win 4th straight; Pastrnak nets 2 to pass 40 goals". AP News. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Senators' Kevin Mandolese: Reassigned to AHL". CBS Sports. February 20, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  19. ↑ Garrioch, Bruce (March 19, 2023). "GARRIOCH: The struggle to get saves has been a massive issue for the Senators". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  20. ↑ Miller, Jack (October 3, 2023). "B-Sens are back in town". Quinte News. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  21. 1 2 "Avalanche Acquires Kevin Mandolese". Colorado Avalanche. July 15, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024 – via NHL.com.
  22. ↑ "Avalanche Signs Mandolese". Colorado Avalanche. July 16, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2024 – via NHL.com.
  23. ↑ "Avalanche's Kevin Mandolese: On waivers". CBS Sports. September 28, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  24. ↑ "Canadiens make roster moves at training camp". Montreal Canadiens. September 28, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2025 – via NHL.com.
  25. ↑ Simonetta, Cristiano (October 13, 2025). "Checkers sign Kevin Mandolese and Brett Leason to PTO's". Charlotte Checkers. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Syracuse Crunch Sign Goaltender Kevin Mandolese To PTO". Syracuse Crunch. December 4, 2025. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Kevin Mandolese novou brankárskou oporou "rytierov"" [Kevin Mandolese becomes the "Knights'" new key goaltender] (in Slovak). HKM Zvolen. December 29, 2025. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Rocket Agrees to Terms with Four Players" (Press release). Laval Rocket. July 1, 2026. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Hockey Canada selects 66 players to represent nation at 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge". Hockey Canada. October 12, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  30. ↑ Coccimiglio, Brad (November 4, 2016). "Championship game set for World Under-17 Hockey Challenge". Soo Today. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  31. ↑ Sweetland, Josh (April 19, 2018). "21 CHL players set to represent Canada at World U18 Championship in Russia". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved July 27, 2026 – via CHL.ca.
  32. ↑ Silverman, Cat (June 20, 2018). "Behind the Save: Scouting the top 10 goalie prospects for the 2018 NHL draft". The Athletic. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  33. ↑ Theisen, Lauren (February 15, 2023). "The Senators Are Great Spoilers". Defector. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  34. ↑ Brennan, Don (June 23, 2018). "Senators continue to add goaltending depth by selecting Kevin Mandolese". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  35. ↑ "The Value of Education: Cape Breton Screaming Eagles". Cape Breton University. October 23, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  36. ↑ "2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters". Canadian Hockey League. December 17, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2026 – via CHL.ca.
  37. ↑ Blouin, Maxime (May 22, 2020). "2019-2020 QMJHL First All-Star Team". Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Retrieved July 26, 2026 – via CHL.ca.
  38. ↑ Brien, David (May 19, 2020). "Mandolese named QMJHL Goaltender of the Year". Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Retrieved July 26, 2026 – via CHL.ca.
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