In his first three NHL games, Victor Mancini has stood out in a big way. Most players show a lot of nervousness to start their professional hockey careers, but not Mancini. When on the ice, the 22-year-old is always calm and makes very few mistakes. It’s almost like he’s an NHL veteran by the way he is composed. Untitled video - Made with Clipchamp Mancini believes that his defensive game has been his strongest attribute thus far. “I feel like my defensive play,” Mancini said on what has stood out about his game. “I want my game to start in the defensive zone and work my way out, especially being a defender. I take pride in my defense.” The best word to describe Mancini is steady. He’s steady in his own zone, steady with the puck on his stick and just steady in the way he conducts himself. It’s evident being around Mancini that he is wise beyond his years. He has this mature, professional and kind-hearted attitude about himself that is impressive for a kid just coming out of college. Mancini was a fifth-round pick by the Rangers in 2022 as he worked his way up into the NHL and it takes a certain kind of person to be able to accomplish that. His work ethic and mature personality translates to his play. Mancini is a perfect all-around player who has all of these strong defensive tendencies, but also uses his strong skating and high hockey IQ to contribute offensively. The kind of player Mancini describes himself as is exactly what the Rangers could use. “I describe my game as a two-way player,” Mancini said. “Like I said before taking pride in my defense, being a hard nosed player in the corners, being able to shut down forwards, win puck battles and starting the offense in our defensive zone by being able to make that first breakout pass and being able to join that second layer on offense and help out.” By watching Mancini right now, it’s clear that he has a bright future with the Rangers and in the NHL.
