Mangone’s improbable ride
He has played in more than 200 games — regular season and playoffs included — since the Saginaw Spirit took him with the second pick of the 2021 Ontario Hockey League supplemental draft. To say that Sault Ste. Marie product Calem Mangone has overachieved would be an understatement.
Originally bypassed at the 2020 OHL priority selections draft — how his hometown Soo Greyhounds missed a talent such as this in their own back yard is a head shaker — Mangone shook off the snub and worked at his game through practice and drills during a 2020-2021 season that wasn’t because of the coronavirus.
And it was Saginaw general manager Dave Drinkill who got hold of some tape on Mangone. The more Drinkill watched, the more Mangone stood out. And Drinkill did not hesitate to take — and quickly sign — the 5 foot 9, 165 pound Mangone via the 2021 OHL supplemental draft.
More often than not, supplemental draft picks do not end up signing or playing a single game in the OHL. But Mangone is the exception — and not just in games played.
Through three full OHL seasons with Saginaw to date — ’21-22, ’22-23 and ’23-24 — Mangone has suited up in 176 games and produced 53 goals, 91 assists, 144 points for the Spirit. The 2004 birth year forward has also skated in 28 playoff games for Saginaw and has seven goals, 11 assists, 18 points.
Notably, Mangone’s reputation as a big game player was on clear display during the 2024 OHL playoffs when he scored three game winning goals and stuck it to his hometown Greyhounds as the Spirit took a hotly contested Western Conference semi final series from the Soo.
While Saginaw would lose to the eventual OHL champion London Knights in the Western Conference finals, the Spirit was not done. As the host city for the 2024 Memorial Cup tournament, Saginaw had automatic entry into the Canadian Hockey League’s annual national championship jewel of an event.
After winning two of three games in the Memorial Cup round robin — Saginaw’s only loss was to London — the Spirit won its semi final match before scoring a stunning victory over the Knights with a goal in the waning seconds of what was a classic matchup of a national championship game.
Four years after being overlooked entirely at the OHL priority selections draft, Calem Mangone has not only become a standout player in the league but he is a Memorial Cup champion. And Mangone — who is poised to return to Saginaw and the OHL as an overage player in ’24-25 — recently brought the Memorial Cup home to Sault Ste. Marie to show off to his large group of family members and friends.
What a story. What an improbable ride.
Every player should try to emulate this young man’s drive and determination. A true example of determination. Congratulations on your success and more to come. making the Soo proud.
Love to watch him play, my favourite Spirit player!!