“Delighted to represent Calgary” | Calgary Flames

Mangiapane also launched Mange's Breadsticks, a hockey game out of Calgary Youth Centers in Ogden, earlier in the season. With the help of the Flames Foundation and the Calgary Italian Open, they donated the funds needed to operate Mange's Breadsticks at the youth center this season.

In doing so, Mange's Breaksticks, in collaboration with its partners and the Flames Foundation, was able to buy each child in the program their first piece of hockey equipment, with the hope that the new equipment will help instill confidence and cheer. belonging.

“The kids there are great too. Everyone is helping, reaching out and pulling,” Mangiapane said. “Of course, I couldn't have done it without them.

“Great, right? There's no real way to describe it. You always feel great when you leave the youth center. Whatever it is… playing hockey, playing basketball, taking pictures, laughing at you, little things like that… . It's just It's a great feeling to help and I hope they think of me as a big brother or something, if they need anything they can always reach out to, and I try to help them as much as I can.”

Calgary King Clancy is well known in the ranks.

The Flames are the only NHL team to have four different players win the award, including Lanny McDonald in 1988, Joe Nieuwendyk in 1995, Jarome Iginla in 2004 and Backlund last spring.

Mangiapane will likely be the last when this year's winner is announced on May 28.

“It's a great honor,” he said.

“I'm excited to represent Calgary.”