Mangone shows his Spirit
He was bypassed through all 15 rounds of the 2020 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft. But a year later, he became a first round pick of the Saginaw Spirit at the 2021 OHL under 18 supplemental draft.
And ever since, 5 foot 9, 165 pound forward Calem Mangone has a become a poster boy for anyone who thinks the supplemental draft for previously overlooked players is a waste of time.
Besides the fact that Mangone is now in his third full OHL season in Saginaw, the Sault Ste. Marie product has turned into a clutch, big game performer for the Spirit.
Not only did Mangone score the winning goal for Saginaw in the third period of the seventh and deciding game of the Western Conference semi finals against his hometown Greyhounds, the Spirit forward also did so in Game 5 to break what was a 2-2 series deadlock.
To be sure, Mangone has turned into a brilliant pickup for Saginaw general manager Dave Drinkill, who is one of the absolute best at his job among the 20 teams of the OHL. Without a doubt, Mangone has made an impact for the Spirit ever since his arrival in Saginaw.
In his rookie season of 2021-2022, he had 13 goals, 21 assists, 34 points in just 47 games. He followed that up with 18 goals, 29 assists, 47 points in 67 games in 2022-2023. And in 62 games in the 2023-2024 regular season, Mangone came through with 22 goals, 41 assists, 63 points.
As no. 2 seed Saginaw will face off against no. 1 seed London Knights in the Western Conference finals, Mangone heads in with five goals, four assists, nine points in 11 games through the first two rounds of the playoffs.
This is a player that no OHL team wanted in 2020. Not even his hometown Greyhounds were willing to take a flyer on him in the late rounds. But just look at mini mite Mangone now. He is so full of Spirit.