{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 2000)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Use Canadian English|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox ice hockey player | alt = | name = Kevin Mandolese | image = | caption = | image_size = 230px | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|08|22}} | birth_place = Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 4 | weight_lb = 196 | position = Goaltender | catches = Left | league = Slovak Extraliga | team = HKM Zvolen | prospect_league = | prospect_team = | former_teams = Ottawa Senators | draft = 157th overall | draft_year = 2018 | draft_team = Ottawa Senators | career_start = 2021 | career_end = }} '''Kevin Mandolese''' (born August 22, 2000) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for HKM Zvolen of the Slovak Extraliga. Mandolese was drafted in the sixth round, 157th overall, by the Ottawa Senators in the 2018 NHL entry draft.
==Playing career== Growing up in Quebec, Mandolese played minor hockey for the Collège Esther-Blondin in the Québec midget AAA league before being drafted by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in the QMJHL.<ref>{{cite web |title=2016 QMJHL Draft Recap |url=https://capebretoneagles.com/2016-qmjhl-draft-recap |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330195527/http://capebretoneagles.com/2016-qmjhl-draft-recap |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 30, 2017 |publisher=Cape Breton Screaming Eagles |access-date=May 21, 2021 |date=June 6, 2016}}</ref> He recorded his first career QMJHL win on October 9, 2016, in a 5–3 win over the Charlottetown Islanders.<ref>{{cite web |title=Eagles Win 5–3 as Mandolese Records 1st Career QMJHL Win |url=https://capebretoneagles.com/article/maritneau-leads-the-way-with-a-pair-in-5-3-win |publisher=Cape Breton Screaming Eagles |access-date=May 21, 2021 |date=October 9, 2016}}</ref> As a result of his play, he returned to the Screaming Eagles for the 2017–18 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Screaming Eagles Name Roster For 2017–2018 Season |url=https://capebretoneagles.com/article/screaming-eagles-name-roster-for-2017-2018-season |publisher=Cape Breton Screaming Eagles |access-date=May 21, 2021 |date=August 31, 2017}}</ref>
During his sophomore season, Mandolese posted a goals against average of 3.46 and a .884 save percentage. He was also chosen to represent Team Canada internationally at both the Under 17 and 18 levels.<ref name="camp">{{cite web |title=Six Screaming Eagles Attending NHL Rookie Camps |url=https://capebretoneagles.com/article/six-screaming-eagles-attending-nhl-rookie-camps |publisher=Cape Breton Screaming Eagles |access-date=May 21, 2021 |date=September 8, 2018}}</ref> As a result of his play, Mandolese was ranked second amongst all North American goaltenders eligible for the National Hockey League (NHL)'s 2018 entry draft.<ref>{{cite web |title=2018 NHL CS Final Draft Ranking - NA/Int'l Goaltenders |url=https://www.tsn.ca/2018-nhl-cs-final-draft-ranking-na-int-l-goaltenders-1.1058390 |website=tsn.ca |access-date=May 21, 2021 |date=April 16, 2018}}</ref> After being drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 2018 draft, Mandolese attended their rookie camp before returning to the QMJHL.<ref name="camp"/> Mandolese returned to the Screaming Eagles for the 2019–20 season, his fourth and final season. He experienced a breakout season during the shortened campaign and became the third Screaming Eagles goaltender to play in his 150th regular-season game, behind Marc-André Fleury and Olivier Roy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cape Breton Eagles' Mandolese plays 150th career regular season game |url=https://www.saltwire.com/prince-edward-island/sports/cape-breton-eagles-mandolese-plays-150th-career-regular-season-game-421487/ |access-date=May 21, 2021 |work=Saltwire |date=March 9, 2020}}</ref> Mandolese completed the major junior season leading league goaltenders in save percentage and ranking third in goals-against average. As a result, he was named to the QMJHL First Team All-Star and named a finalist for the CHL Goaltender of the Year Award.<ref>{{cite web |title=2019-20 CHL Award Finalists: Goaltender of the Year presented by Vaughn |url=https://ontariohockeyleague.com/video/2019-20-chl-award-finalists-goaltender-of-the-year-presented-by-vaughn |publisher=Ontario Hockey League |access-date=May 21, 2021 |date=May 19, 2020}}</ref> Mandolese and teammate Egor Sokolov subsequently became the first two Screaming Eagles players to both be named QMJHL First Team All-Stars.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mandolese, Sokolov make Cape Breton Eagles history with first all-star team selections; McCormick named to second all-star team |url=https://www.saltwire.com/cape-breton/sports/mandolese-sokolov-make-cape-breton-eagles-history-with-first-all-star-team-selections-mccormick-named-to-second-all-star-team-453054/ |access-date=May 21, 2021 |work=SaltWire |date=May 22, 2020}}</ref> On April 13, 2020, Mandolese signed a three year entry-level contract with the Senators, who praised him for being positionally sound, good lateral mobility and adept at reading the play.<ref>{{cite web |title=Senators sign goaltender Kevin Mandolese to entry-level contract |url=https://www.nhl.com/senators/news/senators-sign-goaltender-kevin-mandolese-to-a-three-year-entry-level-contract/c-316603126 |via=NHL.com |publisher=Ottawa Senators |access-date=May 21, 2021 |date=April 13, 2020}}</ref>
Once the league returned for the delayed 2020–21 season, Mandolese was assigned to the Senators' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Belleville Senators.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Senators announce 23-player opening night roster |url=https://www.nhl.com/senators/news/ottawa-senators-announce-23-player-opening-night-roster/c-320234414 |via=NHL.com |publisher=Ottawa Senators |access-date=May 21, 2021}}</ref> After appearing in two games, Mandolese earned his first professional win in a 3–2 victory over the Toronto Marlies at Canadian Tire Centre.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fraser |first1=Jeremy |title=Former Eagle Mandolese collects first career professional win |url=https://www.saltwire.com/cape-breton/sports/former-eagle-mandolese-collects-first-career-professional-win-566139/ |access-date=May 21, 2021 |work=SaltWire |date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> Mandolese was invited to the Senators 2021 training camp in September,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/senators/news/ottawa-senators-announce-54-player-2021-22-training-camp-roster/c-326240314 |title=Ottawa Senators announce 54-player 2021-22 training camp roster |publisher=Ottawa Senators |via=NHL.com |date=September 21, 2021 |access-date=June 28, 2023}}</ref> but was sent to Belleville on October 3.<ref>{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/Media_Sens/status/1444632180332933120 |title=1/3 Roster update: The #Sens have released the following players from training camp. |number=1444632180332933120 |user=Media_Sens |author=Sens Communications |date=October 3, 2021 |access-date=June 28, 2023}}</ref> He also spent time with the Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/goaltender-mandolese-reassigned-to-atlanta-from-belleville/n-5768914 |title=Goaltender Mandolese Reassigned to Atlanta from Belleville |publisher=Atlanta Gladiators |date=November 29, 2021 |access-date=June 28, 2023 |via=oursportscentral.com}}</ref> He began the 2022–23 season with Belleville, but also spent time with the ECHL's Allen Americans.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://allenamericans.com/media/kevin-mandolese-assigned-to-allen-by-ottawa-from-belleville/ |title=Kevin Mandolese Assigned to Allen by Ottawa from Belleville |publisher=Allen Americans |date=April 12, 2023 |access-date=June 28, 2023}}</ref> After injuries to goaltenders Cam Talbot and Mads Søgaard, Mandolese was recalled by the Senators as backup to Anton Forsberg on January 26, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/ice-chips-ottawa-senators-recall-kevin-mandolese-from-ahl-1.1911432 |title=Ice Chips: Senators recall G Mandolese from AHL |work=TSN |date=January 26, 2023 |access-date=June 28, 2023}}</ref> However, Forsberg was injured in a game versus the Edmonton Oilers and Mandolese was called upon to start. Mandolese made his NHL debut and started his first NHL game on February 14, 2023, facing the New York Islanders on Long Island. He stopped 46 of 48 shots on goal to secure the 3–2 victory in a shoot-out.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/new-york-islanders-ottawa-senators-nhl-recap-feb-14-1.6748760 |title=Mandolese leads Senators over Islanders in NHL debut |last=Charles |first=Scott |work=CBC Sports |agency=Associated Press |date=February 14, 2023 |access-date=June 28, 2023}}</ref> He made his second start in a 3–1 loss to the Boston Bruins on February 20.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/nhl-sports-connor-mcdavid-kevin-mandolese-claude-giroux-1a237ffc77d62a130a82f249b63bafc1 |title=Bruins win 4th straight; Pastrnak nets 2 to pass 40 goals |work=AP News |last=Golen |first=Jimmy |date=February 20, 2023 |access-date=June 28, 2023}}</ref> The Senators returned Mandolese to the AHL following the game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/senators-kevin-mandolese-reassigned-to-ahl/ |title=Senators' Kevin Mandolese: Reassigned to AHL |work=CBS Sports |date=February 20, 2023 |access-date=June 28, 2023}}</ref> He was recalled again in March due to injuries to goaltenders and started his third game for the Senators in a 5–1 loss to the Calgary Flames. He was sent back to Belleville again following the game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ottawa-senators/garrioch-the-struggle-to-get-saves-has-been-a-massive-issue-for-the-senators |title=Garrioch: The struggle to get saves has been a massive issue for the Senators |work=Ottawa Sun |last=Garrioch |first=Bruce |date=March 19, 2023 |access-date=June 28, 2023}}</ref>
Mandolese attended Ottawa's 2023 training camp but was assigned to Belleville to start the 2023–24 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.quintenews.com/2023/10/03/b-sens-are-back-in-town/ |title=B-Sens are back in town |work=Quinte News |last=Miller |first=Jack |date=October 3, 2023 |access-date=October 20, 2023}}</ref> He remained primarily assigned with the Senators minor-league affiliates, posting a 10 win, 9 loss and 2 record, a .901 save percentage, a 3.07 goals against average and one shutout through 23 games with Belleville. He was recalled by Ottawa and remained on the NHL roster from January 31 to February 13 but did not make an appearance.<ref name="colorado">{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/avalanche-acquires-kevin-mandolese | title = Avalanche acquires Kevin Mandolese | publisher = Colorado Avalanche |via=NHL.com | date = July 15, 2024 | access-date = July 15, 2024 }}</ref>
In the following off-season, Mandolese as a pending restricted free agent was traded by the Senators, along with a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick on July 15, 2024.<ref name="colorado"/> He was signed by the Avalanche the following day to a one-year, two-way contract extension for the {{nhly|2024}} season.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/avalanche-signs-mandolese | title = Avalanche signs Mandolese | publisher = Colorado Avalanche |via=NHL.com | date = July 16, 2024 | access-date = July 16, 2024 }}</ref> He was placed on waivers during training camp and after going unclaimed, assigned to Colorado's AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/avalanches-kevin-mandolese-on-waivers/ |title=Avalanche's Kevin Mandolese: On waivers |work=CBS Sports |date=September 28, 2024 |access-date=October 15, 2024}}</ref>
As a free agent from the Avalanche at the conclusion of his contract, Mandolese went un-signed over the summer. Approaching the {{nhly|2025}} season, Mandolese was signed to a tryout contract to join the Laval Rocket training camp, on September 28, 2025.<ref>{{citeweb| url = https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/news/canadiens-make-roster-moves-at-training-camp-sept-27-2025 | title = Canadiens make roster moves at training camp | publisher = Montreal Canadiens | date = September 28, 2025 | accessdate = September 28, 2025 }}</ref> After his release from the Rocket and with the season commencing, Mandolese joined the Charlotte Checkers, affiliate to the Florida Panthers on a PTO on October 13, 2025.<ref>{{citeweb| url = https://charlottecheckers.com/articles/checkers-sign-kevin-mandolese-and-brett-leason-to-ptos | title = Checkers sign Kevin Mandolese and Brett Leason to PTO's | publisher = Charlotte Checkers | date = October 13, 2025 | accessdate = October 13, 2025 }}</ref>
==Personal life== Mandolese was born on August 22, 2000,<ref name="EP">{{cite web |title=Kevin Mandolese |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/241372/kevin-mandolese |website=eliteprospects.com |publisher=Elite Prospects |access-date=May 21, 2021}}</ref> in Ottawa, Ontario. He was raised in Ottawa until his family moved to Montreal when he was six years old.<ref name="Brennan">{{cite news |last1=Brennan|first1=Don |title=Senators continue to add goaltending depth by selecting Kevin Mandolese |url=https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ottawa-senators/senators-continue-to-add-goaltending-depth-by-selecting-kevin-mandolese |access-date=May 21, 2021 |work=Ottawa Sun |date=June 23, 2018}}</ref> While playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Mandolese attended Cape Breton University and majored in business.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Value of Education: Cape Breton Screaming Eagles |url=https://www.cbu.ca/newsroom/student-stories/the-value-of-education-cape-breton-screaming-eagles/ |publisher=Cape Breton University |date=October 23, 2019 |access-date=May 21, 2021}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:75%;" |- style="background:#e0e0e0;" ! colspan="3" style="background:#fff;"| ! rowspan="99" style="background:#fff;"| ! colspan="9" style="background:#e0e0e0;"|Regular season ! rowspan="99" style="background:#fff;"| ! colspan="8" style="background:#e0e0e0;"|Playoffs |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season !! Team !! League ! GP !! W !! L !! OTL !! MIN !! GA !! SO !! GAA !! SV% ! GP !! W !! L !! MIN !! GA !! SO !! GAA !! SV% |- | 2016–17 || Cape Breton Screaming Eagles || QMJHL | 27 || 16 || 8 || 0 || 1,469 || 85 || 0 || 3.47 || .890 | 3 || 0 || 2 || 149 || 12 || 0 || 4.84 || .876 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2017–18 || Cape Breton Screaming Eagles || QMJHL | 37 || 15 || 13 || 2 || 1,769 || 63 || 1 || 3.46 || .884 | 5 || 1 || 4 || 307 || 20 || 0 || 3.91 || .875 |- | 2018–19 || Cape Breton Screaming Eagles || QMJHL | 50 || 29 || 12 || 5 || 2,846 || 136 || 3 || 2.87 || .895 | 11 || 5 || 6 || 688 || 29 || 1 || 2.53 || .916 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2019–20 || Cape Breton Eagles || QMJHL | 37 || 26 || 8 || 1 || 2,115 || 82 || 2 || 2.33 || .925 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- | 2020–21 || Belleville Senators || AHL | 9 || 3 || 6 || 0 || 506 || 34 || 0 || 4.03 || .888 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2021–22 || Belleville Senators || AHL | 17 || 9 || 5 || 0 || 885 || 46 || 0 || 3.12 || .901 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- | 2021–22 || Atlanta Gladiators || ECHL | 6 || 1 || 4 || 1 || 359 || 16 || 0 || 2.68 || .916 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2022–23 || Belleville Senators || AHL | 17 || 6 || 8 || 3 || 1,007 || 56 || 0 || 3.33 || .890 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- | 2022–23 || Ottawa Senators || NHL | 3 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 182 || 10 || 0 || 3.29 || .916 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2022–23 || Allen Americans || ECHL | 7 || 5 || 1 || 0 || 410 || 18 || 0 || 2.64 || .927 | 9 || 4 || 5 || 498 || 26 || 1 || 3.13 || .914 |- | 2023–24 || Belleville Senators || AHL | 23 || 10 || 9 || 3 || 1133 || 58 || 1 || 3.07 || .901 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2023–24 || Allen Americans || ECHL | 2 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 119 || 7 || 0 || 3.53 || .918 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- | 2024–25 || Colorado Eagles || AHL | 19 || 11 || 6 || 0 || 1045 || 50 || 1 || 2.87 || .903 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2025–26 || Charlotte Checkers || AHL | 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 60 || 2 || 0 || 2.00 || .933 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- | 2025–26 || Syracuse Crunch || AHL | 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 60 || 1 || 0 || 1.00 || .933 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3"|NHL totals ! 3 !! 1 !! 2 !! 0 !! 182 !! 10 !! 0 !! 3.29 !! .916 ! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Ice hockey stats}} * {{ECHL profile|9044}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mandolese, Kevin}} Category:2000 births Category:Living people Category:Allen Americans players Category:Atlanta Gladiators players Category:Belleville Senators players Category:Canadian ice hockey goaltenders Category:Canadian sportspeople of Italian descent Category:Cape Breton Screaming Eagles players Category:Charlotte Checkers (2010–) players Category:Colorado Eagles players Category:Ice hockey people from Ontario Category:Ottawa Senators draft picks Category:Ottawa Senators players Category:Syracuse Crunch players Category:21st-century Canadian sportsmen