Anthony Mantha Bio
Anthony Mantha is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who serves as a winger for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. Born on September 16, 1994, in Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, Mantha was selected 20th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound forward has built a professional career spanning multiple NHL franchises, showcasing his goal-scoring ability and offensive instincts at the highest level of hockey. Mantha began his professional journey with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League before establishing himself as a regular NHL contributor. As of 2025, he continues his NHL career with the Pittsburgh Penguins under a one-year contract worth $3.5 million.
Early Life and Background
Anthony Mantha grew up in Longueuil, Quebec, immersed in a family with deep hockey roots. His grandfather, Andre Pronovost, was a four-time Stanley Cup champion, providing Anthony with a legendary hockey lineage from an early age. This family connection to professional hockey undoubtedly influenced his development as a player and his aspirations within the sport.
As a youth player, Mantha participated in the prestigious 2007 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Collège-Français Rive-Sud minor ice hockey team. This experience at a renowned international youth tournament provided him with valuable competitive exposure. Mantha continued his development in Quebec’s minor hockey system before advancing to the junior hockey ranks.
Path to Professional Hockey
Mantha was drafted 76th overall by the Val-d’Or Foreurs in the 2010 QMJHL Entry Draft, marking his official entry into major junior hockey. During his first full QMJHL season in 2011-12, he appeared in 63 games for Val-d’Or, recording 22 goals and 29 assists. His developing offensive skills and physical presence began attracting attention from NHL scouts.
The 2012-13 season proved to be a breakthrough campaign, with Mantha emerging as Val-d’Or’s second-leading scorer behind Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Anton Zlobin. He led the entire QMJHL with 50 goals and added 39 assists in 67 games, posting a plus-21 rating. His outstanding performance earned him an invitation to the prestigious CHL Top Prospects Game and a spot on the QMJHL Second All-Star Team.
However, his most remarkable season came in 2013-14, when Mantha dominated the QMJHL like few had before. He led the league in scoring with 57 goals and 63 assists in 57 games, earning the Jean Béliveau Trophy as the top scorer and the Michel Brière Memorial Trophy as the Most Valuable Player in the QMJHL. He was also recognized as the CHL Player of the Year. During the playoffs, he was the leading scorer with 24 goals and 14 assists in 24 games, including the game-winning goal with 52 seconds remaining in game seven of the QMJHL Finals to capture the President’s Cup.
Anthony Mantha Career
Detroit Red Wings (2014–2021)
Mantha signed his entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings on October 12, 2013, following his stellar junior career. His professional debut was delayed due to injury, as he fractured his right tibia during the Traverse City Prospect Tournament in September 2014. He eventually made his professional debut with the Grand Rapids Griffins on November 14, 2014, becoming the second-highest Detroit draft pick to play for the Griffins.
Mantha continued his development in the AHL, scoring his first professional goal in his second AHL game against the Texas Stars. He recorded his first professional hat-trick on February 17, 2016, against the Milwaukee Admirals. His strong AHL performance earned him his first NHL recall in March 2016. He made his NHL debut on March 15, 2016, against the Philadelphia Flyers and scored his first career NHL goal on March 24 against Ben Scrivens of the Montreal Canadiens.
Over subsequent seasons with Detroit, Mantha established himself as a reliable scoring threat. He scored the first goal ever at Little Caesars Arena on October 5, 2017, providing a historic moment for the franchise. On March 31, 2019, he recorded his first career NHL hat-trick against the Boston Bruins. Perhaps his most spectacular performance came on October 6, 2019, when he scored four goals in Detroit’s home opener against the Dallas Stars, including a natural hat-trick, becoming the first Red Wing since John Sorrell in 1933 to accomplish this feat. On November 3, 2020, Mantha signed a lucrative four-year, $22.8 million contract extension with Detroit, reflecting the organization’s commitment to his talent.
Washington Capitals (2021–2024)
On April 12, 2021, Mantha’s tenure with Detroit ended when he was traded to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Jakub Vrána, Richard Pánik, and draft picks. Mantha made an immediate impact with his new team, becoming the first Capital in franchise history to score a goal in each of his first four games with the club. This historic start demonstrated his ability to seamlessly transition to a new organization and contribute offensively right away.
During the 2022-23 season, Mantha played a supporting role around superstar Alexander Ovechkin. On December 13, 2022, he recorded an assist on Ovechkin’s 800th career goal, making the legendary Russian the third player in NHL history to reach that milestone. Mantha continued to provide secondary scoring and offensive depth throughout his time in Washington.
Vegas Golden Knights and Calgary Flames (2024–2025)
Mantha’s career continued to evolve when he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights on March 5, 2024. However, he confirmed in June 2024 that he would not re-sign with Vegas, opting instead to pursue a new opportunity. On July 1, 2024, he signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Calgary Flames.
Mantha made an immediate impression with Calgary, achieving a Gordie Howe hat trick in his season opener against the Vancouver Canucks on October 9. A Gordie Howe hat trick consists of a goal, an assist, and a fight in the same game. Mantha accomplished this rare feat by scoring a short-handed goal, dropping the gloves with J.T. Miller, and recording an assist, all within the first period of a 6-5 overtime victory. Unfortunately, his season took a significant turn when he suffered an ACL injury on November 5, 2024, after being checked by Canadiens forward Emil Heineman. He underwent surgery on November 11 and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2025–Present)
Following his recovery from ACL surgery, Mantha signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 2, 2025. The one-year contract was worth $2.5 million base salary with an additional $2 million in potential bonuses, demonstrating the organization’s confidence in his abilities despite the injury setback. This move represented a fresh start for Mantha as he looked to re-establish himself as a scoring threat in the NHL.
Playing Style and Strengths
Mantha’s game is defined by his combination of size, skill, and scoring ability. At 6-foot-5, he possesses the physical presence to compete along the boards and in front of the net while also having the soft hands and hockey vision to create plays. His left-handed shot is considered a primary weapon, and he has demonstrated the ability to score in multiple ways, including quick releases, one-timers, and net-front presence. His career highlights, including multiple hat-tricks and four-goal games, underscore his ability to take over games offensively when at his best.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
Throughout his career, Mantha has accumulated several notable achievements at both the junior and professional levels. At the QMJHL level, he dominated offensively, winning the Jean Béliveau Trophy, Michel Brière Memorial Trophy, and CHL Player of the Year honors in the same season. His professional milestones include scoring the first goal at Little Caesars Arena and becoming the first player in Washington Capitals history to score in each of his first four games with the franchise. Internationally, he represented Canada at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championship, winning bronze, and at the 2014 World Junior Championship, where he earned All-Star Team honors and led Canada in scoring.
Anthony Mantha International Career
Mantha has represented Canada at several major international tournaments, showcasing his talents on the world stage. At the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championship, he contributed to Canada’s bronze medal finish, recording one goal in seven games. The following year, he was a standout at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he led all Canadian players in scoring with five goals and six assists in seven games. His exceptional performance earned him a spot on the tournament’s All-Star Team.
In April 2019, Mantha was named to Team Canada’s roster for the IIHF World Championship held in Slovakia. He delivered an outstanding tournament, tying for first in scoring with 14 points in nine games alongside Mark Stone. His strong play helped guide Canada to the playoff rounds before they lost the final to Finland, settling for the silver medal. Mantha was selected among the top three players on the Canadian team for his contributions.
Anthony Mantha Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Anthony Mantha comes from an exceptional hockey family with deep roots in professional hockey. His grandfather, Andre Pronovost, was a four-time Stanley Cup champion, providing Anthony with a legendary hockey heritage. This family legacy has been a source of inspiration throughout his development and professional career. The Pronovost name carries significant weight in Canadian hockey history, and Anthony has worked to add to that family legacy with his own accomplishments.
Personal Life
Mantha married his wife, Caitlyn, in June 2023, building a family life alongside his professional hockey career. The couple welcomed their first child in October 2022 and their second child in August 2024. Beyond hockey, Mantha maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account. His older sister, Elizabeth Mantha, has also made her mark in hockey, becoming one of the first 10 female officials in American Hockey League history when she refereed a game between the Laval Rocket and Rochester Americans in October 2021.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a new chapter in Anthony Mantha’s career as he joins the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. After a challenging 2024-25 campaign that was interrupted by a season-ending ACL injury in November 2024, Mantha enters the new season with renewed focus and motivation. His signing with Pittsburgh on July 2, 2025, represents a significant opportunity to prove he can return to his previous form as a consistent scoring threat at the NHL level.
Mantha’s contract includes substantial performance bonuses, giving him added incentive to perform at a high level throughout the season. The Penguins are hoping his size and skill can provide secondary scoring support around their core players. The coaching staff will work to integrate him into the lineup and find situations where his abilities can be maximized.
The outlook for Mantha in 2025 centers on his recovery and adaptation to a new team environment. If he can stay healthy and return to the form that produced multiple 20-goal seasons and memorable performances like his four-goal game against Dallas, he has the potential to be a valuable contributor for the Penguins. His career path through Detroit, Washington, Vegas, and Calgary has prepared him for this opportunity, and he will look to make the most of it in Pittsburgh.