Kevin Mandolese Bio
Kevin Mandolese is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who was drafted in the sixth round, 157th overall, by the Ottawa Senators in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Born August 22, 2000, in Ottawa, Ontario, Mandolese developed his game in Quebec before becoming a top junior prospect. He attended Cape Breton University while playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he earned QMJHL First Team All-Star honors and was named a finalist for the CHL Goaltender of the Year Award in 2020. Mandolese made his National Hockey League debut with the Ottawa Senators in February 2023 and has continued his professional career in North American minor leagues.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Mandolese was born on August 22, 2000, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He was raised in Ottawa until his family relocated to Montreal, Quebec, when he was six years old. Growing up in Quebec, Mandolese played minor hockey for Collège Esther-Blondin in the Québec Midget AAA league. His early development in the Quebec hockey system provided him with a strong foundation in the game.
While pursuing his junior hockey career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Mandolese attended Cape Breton University. He majored in business while balancing his academic responsibilities with his athletic commitments, demonstrating his ability to manage both education and elite-level sports simultaneously.
Path to Hockey
Mandolese was selected by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in the QMJHL draft, beginning his major junior career with the team. He recorded his first career QMJHL win on October 9, 2016, in a 5-3 victory over the Charlottetown Islanders. This early success demonstrated his potential as a starting goaltender at the junior level.
During his sophomore season with the Screaming Eagles, Mandolese posted a goals-against average of 3.46 and an .884 save percentage. His performance earned him the opportunity to represent Team Canada internationally at both the Under-17 and Under-18 levels. As a result of his play, Mandolese was ranked second among all North American goaltenders eligible for the National Hockey League 2018 Entry Draft.
After being drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Mandolese attended the Senators rookie camp before returning to the QMJHL for another season of development. The Senators identified him as a promising prospect with solid fundamentals and the potential to develop into a reliable professional goaltender.
Kevin Mandolese Career
Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (2016-2020)
Mandolese returned to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles for the 2019-20 season, his fourth and final season of major junior hockey. He experienced a breakout campaign during the shortened season and became the third Screaming Eagles goaltender to play in his 150th regular-season game, joining Marc-André Fleury and Olivier Roy in that distinction.
Mandolese completed the major junior season leading league goaltenders in save percentage and ranking third in goals-against average. His exceptional performance earned him a spot on the QMJHL First Team All-Star Team and made him a finalist for the CHL Goaltender of the Year Award. Mandolese and teammate Egor Sokolov subsequently became the first two Screaming Eagles players to both be named QMJHL First Team All-Stars in the same season.
Ottawa Senators Organization (2020-2024)
On April 13, 2020, Mandolese signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators. The Senators praised him for being positionally sound, possessing good lateral mobility, and being adept at reading developing plays. Once the delayed 2020-21 season began, Mandolese was assigned to the Senators American Hockey League affiliate, the Belleville Senators.
After appearing in two games, Mandolese earned his first professional win in a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Marlies at the Canadian Tire Centre. He spent time with the Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL during the 2021-22 season while continuing to develop within the Senators organization.
During the 2022-23 season, Mandolese began with Belleville but also spent time with the ECHL Allen Americans. After injuries to goaltenders Cam Talbot and Mads Søgaard, Mandolese was recalled by the Senators as backup to Anton Forsberg on January 26, 2023. Mandolese made his NHL debut and first NHL start on February 14, 2023, facing the New York Islanders on Long Island. He stopped 46 of 48 shots on goal to secure a 3-2 shootout victory. He made two more starts that season before being returned to the AHL.
Mandolese attended Ottawa 2023 training camp but was assigned to Belleville to start 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 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 appear in a game.
Recent Career Moves (2024-2025)
In the 2024 off-season, 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 was signed by the Avalanche the following day to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2024-25 season. He was placed on waivers during training camp and after going unclaimed, was assigned to Colorado AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles.
Following his contract expiration with the Avalanche, Mandolese went unsigned over the summer. He attended the Laval Rocket training camp on September 28, 2025, after being invited to try out with the organization. After his release from the Rocket, Mandolese joined the Charlotte Checkers, affiliate to the Florida Panthers, on a professional tryout agreement on October 13, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mandolese brings valuable size to the goaltending position at 6 feet 4 inches. The Senators organization highlighted his positional soundness, good lateral mobility, and ability to read the play as key attributes when signing him. His strong save percentage during his junior career in the QMJHL demonstrated his ability to track the puck effectively and make timely saves in high-pressure situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Mandolese achieved several notable milestones during his junior career, including his first professional win with Belleville and his NHL debut victory over the New York Islanders where he made 46 saves. His milestone of playing in his 150th regular-season game with Cape Breton placed him among elite company alongside Marc-André Fleury and Olivier Roy.
Kevin Mandolese Career Wins
Mandolese accumulated wins throughout his junior career with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles before transitioning to professional hockey. His most successful season came in 2019-20 when he led the QMJHL in save percentage and earned First Team All-Star honors.
QMJHL Highlights
During his four seasons with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, Mandolese recorded multiple victories including his first QMJHL win on October 9, 2016, in a 5-3 win over the Charlottetown Islanders. His standout 2019-20 season saw him lead league goaltenders in save percentage and rank third in goals-against average, contributing significantly to the Screaming Eagles success that campaign.
Professional Hockey Wins
Mandolese earned his first professional win with the Belleville Senators during the 2020-21 AHL season in a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Marlies. He recorded a 10-9-2 record with Belleville during the 2023-24 season while also appearing in NHL games with the Ottawa Senators.
Kevin Mandolese Family
Family Background
Mandolese was born in Ottawa, Ontario, and raised there until his family moved to Montreal, Quebec, when he was six years old. No immediate family members in professional hockey have been publicly identified in available sources.
Personal Life
Mandolese attended Cape Breton University while playing for the Screaming Eagles, majoring in business. This demonstrates his commitment to education alongside his athletic career. He currently resides in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
2025 Season Performance
As Mandolese approaches the 2025-26 season, he signed with the Charlotte Checkers on a professional tryout agreement in October 2025 after attending the Laval Rocket training camp. The tryout opportunity with the Checkers, affiliate of the Florida Panthers, represents his latest chance to secure a roster spot in professional hockey.
Mandolese brings experience from multiple organizations including the Ottawa Senators, Belleville Senators, Colorado Avalanche, and Colorado Eagles. His professional record includes appearances in both the AHL and NHL, along with ECHL assignments that have tested his adaptability across different levels of competition.
With his professional tryout now active, Mandolese will look to demonstrate the positioning, mobility, and hockey sense that attracted NHL attention earlier in his career. The goaltender will compete for opportunities with the Checkers while working toward a permanent role with the organization or its AHL affiliate as the season progresses.