NHL Draft 2023 | Under the Microscope: Matteo Mann
Matteo Mann has been surrounded by hockey his entire life.
His father, Trent, had been a scout for the Ottawa Senators since 2011 before being promoted to Assistant General Manager of the franchise last season. His uncle, Troy, has been a head coach in the American Hockey League for over a decade.
So the Chicoutimi Saguenéens’ giant-sized defenseman attended a lot of games, both at the junior and professional levels, throughout his childhood.
“I never really followed the game as a fan,” said Matteo. “For me, it was always about watching the defensemen, how they played, what they did right and what they did wrong as well.”
Because he pays such close attention to the details in the play of the defensemen he watches, Mann is able to insert certain elements to his own game. His father’s career path has also allowed him to have someone around who knows his reality, and thus can advise him.
Although he has a very imposing frame, it’s the numerous games that the now 18-year-old took in during his younger days that has led him to develop a mental side that sets him apart from players his age. “I think, for me, it’s that I understand the game on a different level,” says Matteo.
Photo : Dany Germain
In addition to his high IQ on the ice, the 6-foot-6 and 222-pound shutdown defenseman has physical traits that simply cannot be overlooked. Mann’s game is defense oriented, simple but effective. That’s what makes him such an important part of his team’s backend. The young prospect draws a lot of inspiration from the game of Colton Parayko, a defenseman for the St. Louis Blues who is, like him, a big guy with an imposing physique.
“He plays a simple game, but he’s capable of playing against all the top opposing lines in the league,” Mann said. “You don’t see him a lot during the game if you watch him as a fan, but to me, he executes all the little details well. It’s important for me to watch how he makes his passes, how he competes and how he uses his stick.”
According to the young defender, he is the ideal player for him to study to improve his own game if he ever hopes to reach the big leagues.
Mann is also the kind of player who gets along well with everyone in the locker room. He has the experience to develop good relationships with both the younger guys and the veterans. His junior career allowed him to develop some leadership skills, due to the role he has played for his teammates.
“I have played three years in Chicout‘ and every year I have been placed in a different situation. So, for me, it’s easy to get close and relate with the younger guys,” he admits.
As the 2023 NHL Draft approaches, the New Brunswick native has had to face several new elements this season. Both a media tour and the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game provided Mann with some new experiences.
“It was different for me, but in the long run, it’s going to help me a lot,” he says. “It was more of a learning experience for me to go through stuff like that.” For the 18-year-old, it’s experiences like those ones that gave him an understanding of what the lifestyle of professional players might look like and the media attention they receive.
However, despite all the extra eyes on him, Chicoutimi’s #77 has no particular expectations heading into the upcoming draft.
“It’s really just about having a chance to play at the next level,” he says. “I think my game transfers well to the next level. I just want to be able to show how my game brings a presence and can make an impact.”
Matteo Mann finished the season ranked 84th in NHL Central Scouting’s final prospect rankings, which projects him as a third-round pick in next June’s draft.
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Matteo Mann
Height: 6’06” | Weight: 222 lbs
Date of birth: December 31, 2004
Birthplace: Sackville, New Brunswick
Shoots: Right
