Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Bound for the Blackhawks

Chicago signs Manning as free agent
manning
Brandon Manning, shown here as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers during an April 7 game against the New York Rangers, defends against Mats Zuccarello. Manning will be suiting up this coming NHL season for the Chicago Blackhawks, who signed him as a free agent on Sunday. – AP file photo

Citizen staff

Brandon Manning will be on the blueline of the Chicago Blackhawks next season.

Manning, a 28-year-old defenceman from Prince George, signed a two-year contract with the Blackhawks on Sunday, the first day of the National Hockey League free agency period. The deal is worth $2.25 million.

Manning said on Twitter he "can't wait to get things going for the Blackhawks." He also posted a message to fans in Philadelphia, which had been his NHL home for 207 regular-season games split over six seasons.

"I am grateful to Philly fans and organization for the support you've shown me the past 7 years," said Manning, who also skated for the Adirondack Phantoms and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, American Hockey League affiliate clubs of the Flyers. "From my first pro game as an undrafted free agent for Adirondack, to becoming an AHL all-star in Lehigh Valley, which led to these past three seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers. It was a privilege to put on the orange and black. Thank you Philly, for letting me experience firsthand why you're known as the City of Brotherly Love."

Manning signed with Philadelphia in 2010. He bounced between the AHL and NHL from 2011-12 to 2014-15 but stuck with the Flyers after that.

In the past three seasons, Manning played 186 regular-season games for Philadelphia. As a defence-first style of player, he had 11 goals and 27 assists during that time. This past season was his best - seven goals and 19 points in 65 games. In the playoffs, the Flyers were knocked out in the first round by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In the days following playoff elimination, Flyers general manager Ron Hextall told Manning he wouldn't be offered a new contract.

On the same day the Blackhawks signed Manning, they inked goaltender Cam Ward and forward Chris Kunitz, both of whom are NHL veterans and past Stanley Cup winners.

Manning was born and raised in Prince George. He came up through the local minor hockey system and played at the major midget level for the Cariboo Cougars. He moved up to junior A with the Prince George Spruce Kings (2007-08) and, that same year, got a taste of life in the Western Hockey League with the Chilliwack Bruins. Manning then played three full and productive seasons with the Bruins, a time period in which he was signed by the Flyers.