The Philadelphia Flyers have snapped up Prince George's Brandon Manning, one of the most desirable free agents in all of Canadian major junior hockey.
Manning, a 20-year-old defenceman for the Western Hockey League's Chilliwack Bruins, has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Flyers. The Bruins made the announcement on Tuesday.
Manning, six-foot-one and 195 pounds, currently leads all WHL blueliners in scoring. In 20 games, he has 10 goals and 26 points. In 167 career outings with the Bruins, he has piled up 109 points (34 goals, 75 assists).
"I'd like to thank the Bruins organization for providing me the opportunity to play and learn what it takes to make it to the next level," Manning said on the team's website. "It's an exciting day for me and my family and it's nice to get the contract situation out of the way."
Manning joined the Bruins late in the 2007-08 season. He started that year with the Prince George Spruce Kings of the junior A B.C. Hockey League. Prior to his jump to junior, Manning was a member of the Cariboo Cougars of the B.C. Hockey Major Midget League.
Manning had not been drafted by an NHL club. Prior to last season, he attended the training camp of the Toronto Maple Leafs. This fall, he skated with the New York Rangers.
Manning and the rest of the Bruins will host the Prince George Cougars on Wednesday.
