Andrew Mangiapan of the Flames takes on a leadership role in the world

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It's something that looks good on a resume, even if it doesn't represent what you've learned.

And Calgary Flames winger Andrew Mangiapane, still in the prime of his NHL career, won't even need a LinkedIn profile anytime soon.

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At the World Championship tournament, Team Canada coach Andre (Bear) Turinni from Bolton, Ont., presented the new title.

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“He is our CEO,” Turinni told reporters in Prague. “Chief Energy Director”.

If Team Canada prints business cards, Mangiapane may need a few extra lines.

Confident two-way forward.

Alternate captain.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

“Yeah, Bear gave me that (nickname), so I just try to be happy, always have that energy and just try to be positive in the room,” Mangiapane told Postmedia in a phone interview from the Czech Republic. “That's one of my roles, I think, is to try to bring everybody together and build that chemistry.

“Building chemistry is very important in this tournament. The team that collects the fastest wins. That's what I tried to do. So far, I think it's good on my part.”

Starting Thursday, this race will really intensify.

Canada, unbeaten in seven preliminary matches, will face Slovakia in the quarterfinals (8:20 a.m. MT, TSN).

Unfortunately, in this win-or-done contest, there's only one lead, not two. Martin Pospisil was the favorite for the Slovaks, but the 24-year-old was ruled out of the playoffs with a shoulder injury in Tuesday's loss to Sweden.

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Although X-rays revealed no fractures, the extent of the damage and its potential impact on his offseason training regimen are unknown.

While Pospisil's injury sparked debate on social media about whether NHL teams should target their players to miss the World Cup, if the risk outweighs the reward, Mangiapan is proof of the potential positives.

The speedy left-hander was one of the highlights of the tournament in 2021, winning MVP honors and leading Team Canada to its first title in five years. He carried that momentum into the fall (and winter) and posted a career-best stat line the following campaign.

Mangiapane finished seventh on the Flames' roster in 2023-24, mixing in 14 goals and 26 assists in 75 appearances in what he described as an “up-and-down season.”

As he assessed in his annual exit interview: “Some games, I felt like I was playing my game — tenacious, hardworking, in the dirt, around the net, creating, etc. Then other games, it just wasn't for me. For me, I need to find stability in the game.”

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Perhaps another strong showing in his national team will be a push in that direction.

“Obviously, I'm not happy we didn't make the playoffs (in Calgary), but I think it's the second best situation for me,” Mangiapane said from Prague. “Anytime you're asked to represent your country, it's an honor, so I want to come out here and have fun, win some games and bring the gold back to Canada.”

He now has three wins left in that effort.

Mangiapane, who turned 28 last month, had one goal and five assists as Canada finished the preliminary round with seven wins, including five in regulation and two in overtime. He ranks alongside Dylan Cozens and Michael Bunting.

Behind the scenes, he has embraced his role as chief energy officer. Turinni explained that Mangiapane – one of captain John Tavares' three assistants – has a letter on his shirt because he's always fun, gets along with everyone and has experience on the international stage.

While he's not necessarily considered part of the Flames' leadoff crew, that extra role at Worlds could push No. 88 to take on more responsibility at the Saddledome.

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After all, every successful organization needs a strong CEO.

“I always remember the winning team. It was a great group of guys,” Mangiapane said, recalling the 2021 Worlds in Latvia. “The gold medal game and wearing that gold around my neck last time was a great feeling. That's why I wanted to go back and do it all over again.

“It's been a lot of fun so far, a lot of great guys on this team, a lot of skill. We still have places to clean up and improve, but we feel good about our game and we're on our way to the quarterfinals.”

Ice chips

Mangiapane remains in contention for the overall league title. A community effort made him the Flames' contender for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy … Pospisil hit the end boards awkwardly on a layup, injuring his shoulder, recorded three goals and four assists and won 54.8. % of his matches on his first trip to worlds … In the other quarterfinals, Sweden will face Finland on Thursday, Switzerland will face Germany and the host Czech Republic must beat Team USA to advance to the medal round.

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