Kevin Mandolese Bio
Kevin Mandolese is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender born on August 22, 2000, in Ottawa, Ontario. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and catching with his left hand, Mandolese was selected in the sixth round, 157th overall, by the Ottawa Senators in the 2018 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft. Over the course of his career, he has represented Team Canada internationally and developed through the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) before reaching professional hockey.
Mandolese is currently on a professional try-out with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League (AHL) and most recently joined the Charlotte Checkers on a tryout in October 2025. His career has included stints with the Ottawa Senators, Belleville Senators, Colorado Eagles, and several ECHL affiliates, reflecting the journeyman path taken by many developing goaltenders.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Mandolese was born on August 22, 2000, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and grew up in the Canadian capital during his earliest years. When he was six years old, his family relocated to Montreal, Quebec, where he spent the remainder of his childhood. The move from Ottawa to Montreal placed him within a strong hockey culture and exposed him to the competitive minor hockey systems of Quebec at a young age.
Mandolese developed his goaltending skills playing minor hockey for Collège Esther-Blondin in the Québec midget AAA league. This program is well known for producing high-level goaltenders and other NHL talent, and it gave him a foundation in the technical and tactical aspects of the position. While progressing through junior hockey, he balanced his athletic commitments with academic study, attending Cape Breton University where he majored in business.
His upbringing in both Ottawa and Montreal, combined with his education at Cape Breton University, helped shape a grounded approach to professional hockey. These formative experiences in family, school, and competitive minor hockey established the discipline that would later define his progression through the major junior ranks.
Path to Hockey
Mandolese’s path to professional hockey began when he was drafted by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the QMJHL. He recorded his first career QMJHL win on October 9, 2016, in a 5–3 victory over the Charlottetown Islanders, signaling his potential at the major junior level. The strong start earned him a return to the Screaming Eagles for the 2017–18 season, where he continued to refine his game.
During his sophomore campaign, Mandolese posted a 3.46 goals against average and an .884 save percentage, demonstrating growth despite the demanding schedule. His play earned him invitations to represent Team Canada at both the Under-17 and Under-18 international levels, marking him as one of the top young goaltenders in the country. These international appearances helped raise his profile ahead of the NHL Entry Draft.
As a result of his development, Mandolese was ranked second among all North American goaltenders eligible for the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The Ottawa Senators selected him in the sixth round, 157th overall, recognizing the talent that had emerged through the QMJHL and Canadian national team programs. Following the draft, he attended the Senators’ rookie camp before returning to junior hockey for further seasoning.
Kevin Mandolese Career
Early Career (2016–2020)
Mandolese spent four seasons with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles from 2016 to 2020, developing into one of the top goaltenders in the QMJHL. During the shortened 2019–20 season, he experienced a breakout campaign and became the third Screaming Eagles goaltender to appear in his 150th regular-season game, joining Marc-André Fleury and Olivier Roy in that distinction. His poise and consistency throughout that year established him as a cornerstone of the franchise.
By the end of his major junior career, Mandolese led all QMJHL goaltenders in save percentage and ranked third in goals against average. He was named to the QMJHL First Team All-Star and was a finalist for the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Goaltender of the Year Award. Along with teammate Egor Sokolov, he became one of the first two Screaming Eagles players ever selected as QMJHL First Team All-Stars in the same season, capping a remarkable junior tenure.
QMJHL and AHL Breakthrough (2020–2023)
On April 13, 2020, Mandolese signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators. The Senators praised his positional soundness, lateral mobility, and ability to read the play. Once the delayed 2020–21 season began, he was assigned to the Senators’ AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators, where he made his professional debut and earned his first professional win in a 3–2 victory over the Toronto Marlies at Canadian Tire Centre. He also spent time with the Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL during his early professional years.
Mandolese began the 2022–23 season with Belleville and also saw action with the Allen Americans of the ECHL. Following injuries to goaltenders Cam Talbot and Mads Søgaard, he was recalled by the Ottawa Senators as the backup to Anton Forsberg on January 26, 2023. Just weeks later, Forsberg was injured in a game against the Edmonton Oilers, thrusting Mandolese into the spotlight for his NHL debut.
Mandolese made his NHL debut on February 14, 2023, facing the New York Islanders on Long Island. He stopped 46 of 48 shots and secured a 3–2 shootout victory, announcing his arrival at the highest level in dramatic fashion. He went on to make a second start in a 3–1 loss to the Boston Bruins on February 20 before being returned to Belleville. Later in March, he was recalled again and started his third NHL game in a 5–1 loss to the Calgary Flames, finishing a memorable first stretch in the NHL.
Belleville Senators Era (2023–2024)
Mandolese attended Ottawa’s 2023 training camp but was assigned to Belleville to begin the 2023–24 season. He posted a 10–9–2 record with a .901 save percentage, a 3.07 goals against average, and one shutout across 23 games with Belleville, demonstrating continued growth at the AHL level. He was recalled by Ottawa and remained on the NHL roster from January 31 to February 13 but did not appear in a game during that stint.
Colorado Avalanche Era (2024–2025)
As a pending restricted free agent, Mandolese was traded by the Ottawa Senators, along with a 2026 seventh-round pick, to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick on July 15, 2024. He signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with the Avalanche the following day for the 2024–25 season. After clearing waivers during training camp, he was assigned to Colorado’s AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles.
Syracuse Crunch Era (2025–Present)
Following the conclusion of his contract with the Avalanche, Mandolese went unsigned over the summer of 2025. Approaching the 2025–26 season, he signed a tryout contract with the Laval Rocket training camp on September 28, 2025. After his release, he joined the Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers, on a professional try-out on October 13, 2025, before eventually landing with the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mandolese is recognized for his positional soundness, strong lateral mobility, and ability to read the play effectively. The Ottawa Senators highlighted these traits when signing him to his entry-level contract, noting his poise under pressure and athleticism in the crease. His tall frame at 6 feet 4 inches allows him to cover significant net, and his left-catching style contributes to his technical approach to the position.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most defining moment of Mandolese’s career came on February 14, 2023, when he made his NHL debut with the Ottawa Senators and stopped 46 of 48 shots in a shootout victory over the New York Islanders. He also became the third Cape Breton Screaming Eagles goaltender to play in 150 regular-season games, joining Marc-André Fleury and Olivier Roy in that select group. Being named a QMJHL First Team All-Star and a CHL Goaltender of the Year Award finalist further cements his standing as one of the top Canadian goaltenders of his draft class.
Kevin Mandolese Career Wins
Across his professional and junior career, Kevin Mandolese has earned wins at the QMJHL, AHL, and NHL levels. His first major junior victory came on October 9, 2016, in a 5–3 win over the Charlottetown Islanders, and his first professional victory came in a 3–2 win over the Toronto Marlies at Canadian Tire Centre. His most memorable win remains his NHL debut shootout victory against the New York Islanders in February 2023.
QMJHL and Professional Highlights
Mandolese’s junior career was highlighted by his appearance in 150 regular-season games for the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, making him one of only three goaltenders in franchise history to reach that mark. In the professional ranks, he posted a 10-win season with the Belleville Senators during 2023–24 and has continued to compete at the AHL level with multiple affiliates. His combination of NHL experience and AHL consistency reflects a goaltender who has steadily built his resume.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his QMJHL and NHL achievements, Mandolese has delivered notable performances in the ECHL with both the Atlanta Gladiators and the Allen Americans. His ability to adapt to different team environments and leagues underscores a resilient and durable professional career.
Kevin Mandolese Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Kevin Mandolese was raised in Ottawa, Ontario, before his family moved to Montreal, Quebec, when he was six years old. While detailed information about his parents is not publicly available, his upbringing in two of Canada’s most hockey-rich cities clearly shaped his path into the sport. He attended Cape Breton University, where he majored in business while continuing his hockey career, reflecting a family environment that valued both education and athletics.
Personal Life
Mandolese currently resides in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Public details about his marital status, spouse, or children are not widely reported. His residence in Montreal keeps him connected to his childhood roots even as his professional hockey journey takes him across North America and Europe.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025–26 season has been a period of transition for Kevin Mandolese after he went unsigned by the Colorado Avalanche over the summer. He signed a professional try-out with the Laval Rocket training camp on September 28, 2025, before being released and joining the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL on October 13, 2025. The early-season movement reflects the reality of professional try-out deals, where goaltenders work to earn full contracts.
Mandolese’s 2025–26 outlook depends on his ability to secure a stable role with an AHL affiliate or earn another NHL opportunity. With his prior NHL debut experience and steady AHL track record, he remains a viable option for teams seeking goaltending depth. His performances in the AHL will be closely monitored as he aims to extend his professional career.
Looking ahead, Mandolese’s blend of size, mobility, and NHL experience makes him an attractive option for organizations needing goaltending reinforcement. Whether through the Syracuse Crunch, Charlotte Checkers, or another opportunity, the 2025–26 season represents another chapter in his ongoing journey through professional hockey.