He waited his turn and now Brandon Manning of Prince George is back in the NHL.
The former Cariboo Cougars and Prince George Spruce Kings defenceman was a healthy scratch for the first six Edmonton Oilers games this season.
When his name was called to play against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, he responded
with a goal, two shots and a plus-one rating, making the most of his 15 shifts and 11:23 of ice time in a 6-3 victory.
Alumni @mandog1990 rips home his first of the year against his former team! #defendthenorth https://t.co/536BuV87Ad
— Cariboo Cougars (@cariboocougars) October 17, 2019
The 6’1″, 205 lb Manning is back to the big leagues, based more on hard work, determination and attitude than skill.
A minor bump on the road last season was not going to deter him.
Despite being placed on waivers by Edmonton two days before the 2019-20 regular season, Manning made the Oilers as the seventh blue-liner out of camp after hitting rock bottom in 2018-19.
Not only was he sent to the Oilers AHL farm team in Bakersfield in mid-February, but he also ended up only playing eight games for the Condors, including none in the playoffs.
“In the summer you realize why you train and why you love the game and to be out there against Philly where I have a lot of good friends and to score and contribute was definitely special,” Manning told the Edmonton Sun.
“The way things went last year was disheartening but to come in here, get the opportunity to stick around … you appreciate it.”
The Oilers are off to a Western Conference-best 6-1 record with new coach Dave Tippett having a positive influence on the team.
Tippett appreciates what a physical player like Manning brings to the table.
“A great teammate who’s accepted his role and works hard. They understand that. A good veteran player who knows the league and when he scored against his old team, the players here were really happy for him,” Tippett said to the Edmonton Sun.
Manning is up to 247 NHL regular-season games played with the Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks and Oilers.
He has 48 points (14 goals) to go along with 237 penalty minutes and is highly motivated to remain in Edmonton, just 739 kilometres from his PG home.
The 29-year-old Manning is a great example of living the dream, while not getting discouraged when the dark days arrive because he understands there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
Brandon Manning isn’t in Oilers purgatory after all https://t.co/vTppkTMoQr pic.twitter.com/PtiHyT5N5v
— Edmonton Sun (@Edmontonsun) October 18, 2019
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This weekend is a hockey feast in Prince George.
The PG Cougars host Spokane twice at CN Centre with Saturday’s game having an Oktoberfest theme and a Mega Jackpot where someone will win a minimum 15-grand.
Oktoberfest is just days away. One lucky fan is guaranteed to win $15,000 in our @PGCFoundation Mega 50/50 Jackpot (19+; know your limit, play within it)! Also, four local breweries are sampling beer and we’re wearing custom Oktoberfest-themed jerseys! pic.twitter.com/IH1PACydPg
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) October 15, 2019
Next door at Kin 1, the Cariboo Cougars are home Saturday and Sunday against the Vancouver NE Chiefs.
Pink in the Rink will be the theme in the first game, a fundraiser for breast cancer.
The Major Midget Cougars will be wearing special jerseys trimmed in pink, recognized as the symbolic colour of breast cancer.
At the RMCA, the Prince George Spruce Kings will also be the home team against the Chilliwack Chiefs tonight and Saturday with this evening’s game Cancer Awareness Night.
Cancer Awareness Night Fundraising | The Spruce Kings will have several proceeds going to the @cancersocietybc on Friday night including the Puck Toss, a portion of the 50/50, AND a portion of the jersey auction!
Here is a first glimpse at the jerseys for Friday!#GetInTheMix pic.twitter.com/VTL4LaJPFe
— Spruce Kings (@SpruceKings) October 15, 2019
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This is season two of Hartley’s Cat Scan, a weekly podcast show that primarily features the PG Cougars.
My guests on the fifth Cat Scan in year two are Cougars defencemen, Cole Moberg and Rhett Rhinehart.
Moberg discusses the thrill of being drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring goals for the Cougars and his outlook on the team and his future.
Rhinehart talks about being ranked by Central Scouting for next year’s NHL Draft. In addition, he speaks about his prominent role on the team and travels on the Cougars new bus.
CAT SCAN: Listen to @Hartley_Miller speak with @PGCougars blueliners @cmobes23 and @Rhinehart16 on this week’s episode of the Cat Scan Podcast | https://t.co/DIwQsyZQRg #cityofpg #sports pic.twitter.com/UQ7V5aGNjx
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) October 17, 2019
FROM THE QUOTE RACK:
Bill Belichick’s second granddaughter just celebrated her first birthday. And even at one-year-old, the baby is more talkative than grandpa.
*Contributor Marc Ragovin
Which audio would you rather hear? @Edelman11 calling Bill Belichick “Grandpa”, or Belichick’s mic when the @Patriots won? Guess what – you don’t have to choose!! –@KevKennedy1025https://t.co/5FqhUXFGat
— Country 102.5 (@Country1025WKLB) February 6, 2019
A report says Antonio Brown wants his off the field issues resolved so he can return to the NFL. That would still leave any interested teams one big issue to deal with Antonio Brown.
*Comedy writer Jim Barach http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.ca/
There were six penalty flags on six consecutive plays late in Dallas Cowboys-New York Jets game. But hey, doesn’t everyone pay their way into games or buy NFL Sunday Ticket to watch world-class officiating?
*Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
San Diego Padres pitcher Jacob Nix was arrested and charged with criminal trespass in Peoria, Ariz. after he allegedly tried to enter a home through the doggie door. It looks like he could use a little more work on his back-door slider.
*Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://www.seattletimes.com/author/dwight-perry/
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
A cheerleader performing at the Pan Am Games accidentally fell into a swimming pool. On the bright side, she did get the wave started.
*Canadian comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
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Hartley Miller is the news and sports supervisor and morning news anchor for 94.3 the GOAT and Country 97.
He also is the 94.3 radio colour commentator for P.G. Cougars home games.
His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com.
Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]