When reporters walked into the Flyers dressing room Thursday night, there was a name scribbled on the interview board -- MANNDOG.
Who the hell is Manndog, we asked?
It was rookie defensman Brandon Manning, who made his NHL debut during the Flyers 5-0 rout of the Florida Panthers.
Not a bad debut, either. He was 2 with 14:59 minutes in ice time on the blue line.
Manndog? Manndog was terrific, said coach Peter Laviolette. He moved the puck, he generated some offense and defensively he held his own out there.
Coming in for the first time is never an easy thing and I thought he did a terrific job. Played regular shifts, regular minutes and he looked good out there doing it.
Manndog was his nickname with the Phantoms.
NHL
He plays with an edge, Laviolette said. He hits. He fights.
The Flyers defense, overall, was nothing short of outstanding in the game with 18 blocked shots. Manning had one hit officially, and three shots on net, one of which from the circle nearly scored.
Officially, Manning was the sixth Flyer rookie to make his NHL debut this season. Seven made their regular season debut. (Zac Rinaldos NHL debut was last years playoffs).
Manning said he wanted to play an offensive game and he did that.
I think it's part of my game, Manning said. I think I was just trying to keep it pretty simple out there. When I get an opportunity, I think I want to jump in there. It's part of my game that I want to contribute to the game.
Manning was paired with veteran Andreas Lilja, as Pavel Kubina missed the game with an upper body injury.
Flyers center Claude Giroux thought Manning held his own.
Manning, obviously it was his first game and it's not easy especially down the stretch when you come into a new team and it's you're first game in the NHL, Giroux said.
It can't be easy. The defense was solid killing penalties and they didn't get much because we were solid and it was a great team effort tonight.
The 21-year-old missed training camp last fall while recovering from hip surgery. The previous April, he had complicated groin and abdominal surgery.
Though Manning was never drafted, the Flyers signed him as a free agent in November 2010 from the WHLs Chilliwack Bruins. Because of injuries, however, he didnt play a single game for the Phantoms until this season (32 games).
Its kind of been the underdog story for me my whole career, Manning explained of his odyssey. Its something Ive kinda ran with and rubbed in peoples facespeople who didnt think I could do it or teams that passed over me.
Coming in last year, to do what I did and get an opportunity to play this year, I cant say enough about it.
He actually played with Lilja when the latter was sent to the Phantoms this season on a rehab assignment. This season has been one of getting back to full health. His hip rehab is on-going.
It took me a while, Manning said. I missed a few games again in December and probably mid-February I went through a streak of about 10 games where I felt really good.
I just kinda made sure Im taking care of myself and doing what I need to do every day. Its definitely come along the last month, month and a half, for sure.
Did we mention Mannings roommates on the Phantoms were Tommy Sestito and Harry Zolnierczyk?
Theyve been great for me, helping me out and having advice here and there, Manning said.
Loose pucks
Flyers have a complete day off on Friday and meet the Maple Leafs on Saturday in TorontoZolnierczyk was sent back down to the Phantoms on Friday.