Unexpected addition for Kent Hughes in Montreal: ‘I’d like to play for the Canadiens’
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The Montreal Canadiens organization’s recent acquisition isn’t hiding his ambitions.
Kevin Mandolese, the Laval Rocket’s new goaltender, is openly dreaming of one day breaking through with the big club.
The Quebec-born goaltender, a Blainville native, has just signed with Laval after a season split between Syracuse, Charlotte and Slovakia.
Returning to Quebec carries special meaning for him.
His goal is clear, and he spelled it out in an interview shared by the Rocket:
“Long term, I’d like to be in the NHL and play for the Canadiens.
So my mission is to be as consistent as possible in practice and get 1% better every day.”
– Kevin Mandolese
Mandolese isn’t a stranger to the organization.
A tryout contract last year with the Montreal Canadiens never led anywhere, but the agreement is now official.
Kevin Mandolese’s NHL experience keeps a future Canadiens opportunity within reach
He has already had a taste of the NHL with the Ottawa Senators, appearing in three games and posting an excellent .916 save percentage.
The road remains difficult, with three goaltenders already ahead of him in Montreal. But his brief stint in Ottawa showed that he isn’t that far from that level.
This season in Laval, he’ll need to establish himself as a reliable option while Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler appear set to share the workload at the Bell Centre.If Samuel Montembeault were ever traded or released, the door to the big club could open sooner than expected for Mandolese.
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Unexpected addition for Kent Hughes in Montreal: ‘I’d like to play for the Canadiens’
Could Kevin Mandolese one day become the Canadiens goalie he dreams of being?