The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins announced today that they’ve come to terms with goaltender Peter Mannino on a one-year deal which will see the netminder suit up with the Pens next season.
Mannino, a 29-year-old native of Southfield, Miss., is coming off of a season in which he backed up the Manchester Monarchs and Martin Jones. In 20 appearances in net for the Monarchs last season, Mannino posted a 2.47 GAA and .919 SV%.
The former starter for the NCAA’s University of Denver, Mannino backstopped the team to a Frozen Four victory in 2004-05, and was named the tournament MVP. However, his performance during that tournament was not enough to land him an NHL deal, and Mannino entered the pros as a free agent.
Though Mannino has had a tough time sticking anywhere for an extended period of time, he has shown the ability to be equal to the task when called upon. In 38 games with the Chicago Wolves in 2009-10, Mannino put up career bests in the ‘A’ when he posted a 2.34 GAA and .921 SV%.
Jason Iacona from Chirps From Center Ice (which you should be reading, if you aren’t already) had this to say about the signing:
The signing is an interesting one at best, as Pittsburgh just signed Eric Hartzellto an NHL contract. Unless there’s a competition in camp, one would project that Hartzell starts the season in Wheeling, likely starting every game he possibly can to get pro experience. I can’t see the Penguins carrying three goalies (Jeff Zatkoff being the other goalie not mentioned yet)
However, the move does make some sense in regards to the young, fairly inexperienced Wilkes-Barre blue line projected for the Fall. You now have two veteran goaltenders to backstop all the youth.
Mannino’s contract is a one-year AHL deal.
American Hockey Blog 