NEWS

The OJHL announced today that Oakville Blades netminder Daniel Mannella (photo credit - Kevin Sousa/OJHL Images) has been named the Gongshow Gear Goaltender-of-the-Month for October after posting a spectacular 1.67 goals against average in eight games played.  

Averaging more than 30 shots/game throughout October, Daniel Mannella was the backbone of the Oakville Blades defence, stopping 217 shots during his eight appearances, while posting an impressive .948 save percentage to lead all OJHL netminders.  His 1.67 goals against average, also tops in the OJHL during the month, came on the strength of allowing 12 goals in just over 429 minutes of action to post a 4-3-1 record for the club.  After opening the month with a 3-0 shutout over division rival St. Michael’s, Mannella was put in midway through the club’s next game versus the Toronto Jr. Canadiens and would stop all 18 shots he faced for a come-from-behind 4-3 victory.  He followed that up two weeks later with a highlight-worthy 40 save, 2-2 tie, with the nationally ranked Georgetown Raiders and Mannella currently leads the league with a .936 save percentage and is second with a 1.88 goals against average.

“I’m very grateful to receive the accolade,” said Mannella.  I can't say enough about the rest of the guys on the team.  This, to me, is a team award and they deserve a lot of credit. Hopefully we can keep improving and ultimately achieve our goal of winning a championship.  Personally, I'd like to play DI hockey in the near future and reach the highest level of hockey my work ethic can take me.”

“Daniel's brought such a calming presence to our team,” explained Blades’ General Manager Mike Daley.  “Last year we had Evan Buitenhuis who was our leader on the ice and in the room as he was very vocal.  This year with Daniel, we have a guy who's always smiling and once his equipment goes on he's all business.  Very rarely does he give up an easy goal, which is what a team wants to see.  He makes all the saves he should and some of the saves he shouldn't.  The way Daniel's played for us this year has given us a chance to compete with the top teams even though we are still a younger team.  Last but not least, he's the ultimate teammate and is working with our other goaltender Brendan McGlynn to help in his development.  Daniel and Brendan have a great relationship and are the first to congratulate each other or give a pat on the back when things aren't going well.”

For the second consecutive month, Justin Kapelmaster of the Trenton Golden Hawks was named as runner-up for the Goaltender-of-the-Month award.  He posted an impressive 6-1-0 record with a shutout, 2.23 goals against average and a .926 save percentage.

Born on August 24, 1995, Daniel Mannella was raised in Woodbridge, Ontario and was introduced to the game of hockey by his father and uncle at the age of six, joining the City of Vaughan Hockey Association’s House League.  The now lanky 6’, 170 lbs. netminder would work his way through the minor hockey ranks, ultimately finding his way to the Mississauga Reps ‘AAA’ program through his minor midget season.

After spending the 2011-12 season with the Toronto Titans Major Midgets, coached by former St. Michael’s Buzzers assistant coach Chris Lazary, Mannella earned an invitation to the Georgetown Raiders training camp, where he impressed management, not only earning a spot on the opening day roster, but ultimately working his way into the starter’s role.  With his hot start that saw him lead the OJHL with a 1.85 goals against average, Mannella earned an invitation to the Team Canada East Selection Camp, becoming a member of the club that competed at the 2012 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge that was held in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

Not long after the tournament, with the Raiders in contention as one of the top teams in the OJHL, the netminder would receive a surprise as he was traded to the Stouffville Spirit in a blockbuster deal that saw veteran netminder Knick Dawe and one of the league’s leading scorers, Alex Botten, head to Georgetown.  Immediately after the trade, Mannella would join the OJHL Prospects Team that competed at the 2012 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge held in Wellington, Ontario, allowing just one CCHL goal on 15 shots during his half of the game en route to a 4-3 shootout victory.  Playing for a non-playoff squad, Mannella continued to excel and would finish the season with a 19-20-2 record, 2 shutouts, a 3.00 goals against average and .904 save percentage to be named an OJHL 1st Team All-Prospect.

Prior to the start of the 2013-14 season, Mannella received an invite to the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s free agent camp where he impressed many in attendance with his play, nearly earning a spot on the roster.  Back in Stouffville, he would play in 42 of the club’s 53 regular season contests, finishing the year with a 17-19-3 record, once again for a non-playoff squad.  His 2,373:36 minutes played was the second most among all OJHL goaltenders, stopping 1,197 shots for a .904 save percentage.

Mannella was on the move for a second time this past summer, traded to the Oakville Blades for defenceman Greg Allen.  He has quickly become the club’s backbone and continues to drive improvement in the young Blades squad, while posting numbers among the league’s elite netminders.