He's not lighting any cigars with 20-dollar bills but Brandon Manning did get a substantial raise from his hockey employer this week.
The 26-year-old defenceman from Prince George signed a two-year contract worth $1.95 million US to resume his NHL career with the Philadelphia Flyers. The one-way deal will pay Manning $850,000 this season with a $100,000 signing bonus and an even $1 million for the 2017-18 season. He earned $625,000 playing for the Flyers as an NHL rookie last year.
Known as a dependable puck-carrier, strong skater and punishing bodychecker, Manning played 56 regular-season games in 2015-16, finishing with a goal and six assists, 66 penalty minutes and a plus-two rating. He also picked up an assist in six playoff games in the Flyers' first-round loss to the Washington Capitals.
"We kind of had a deal in place for one year and I definitely wanted the security of the second year," said Manning. "When the Flyers were willing to make that happen for me it was a bit of a no-brainer to have that security going forward and to be two years back in Philly.
"Being a free agent next summer, I probably could have had a few options if things go well but the fact Philly was willing to give me that second year shows a bit of confidence in me and I was very happy with that."
Manning and his agent, Manny DeSousa of Edmonton, had an arbitration date set for Tuesday. The Flyers won't have to go to arbitration with any of their players.
"It was nice to have it done and not have to fly to Toronto next week," Manning said.
Manning drew top-six minutes with the Flyers last year in the playoffs and he'll be battling for icetime next season on a blueline crew that includes Shane Gostisbehere, Nick Schultz, Michael Del Zotto, Radko Gudas, Mark Streit, Andrew MacDonald and rookie Ivan Provorov, the Brandon Wheat Kings' star the Flyers picked in the first round in 2016.
"I'm confident - we had eight guys last year and they made a move with MacDonald and sent him down and this year there's probably eight of us now with Provorov, whether he plays with us or goes back to junior," said Manning.
"I still have the same mindset I always have. I'm going in to make the team, I'm not being complacent and too confident in my position."
As for joining the millionaire's club, Manning isn't letting any of that go to his head now that he's reached that milestone with his salary.
"It's definitely kind of surreal right now," hew said. "Obviously, coming back to P.G. and spending my summers here I try to stay humble and I don't think too much will change for me in that. But it's kind of different when you see those numbers down on paper.
"My family's been great to me and I can't complain the way they treat me and the way they handle it. I'm sure there will be a few nice Christmas presents next year."
Manning is a guest instructor at the Spruce Kings hockey school, which starts next week at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena and he plans to help his former Chilliwack Bruins teammate, now Kings assistant coach Ryan Howse, teach the kids for the next three weeks.
"When I was younger, 14 or 15 I think, I helped out and the year I played for the Spruce Kings (2006-07) I helped out with it as well," said Manning. "The Spruce Kings have treated me great and Hawsey's (Kings GM Mike Hawes) been awesome, so I'll go out with my buddy Ryan to help out once a week and go from there."
