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The Edmonton Oilers prospect has taken it upon himself to cultivate hobbies outside of hockey, emulating an older, veteran defenceman in the Oilers system: Eric Gryba.
"I'm almost like a mini-me version of him, I'd say," laughed Mantha.
The rookie and veteran have a lot in common, from being avid hunters, to harbouring a passion for the outdoors, all the way down to how they've created a social media presence with their cooking videos.
But it's on the ice where Gryba provides the most assistance, as he's a blueprint for development at this level. Gryba earned his way through the AHL, just as Mantha is trying to do now.
"He has a ton of experience in the National Hockey League," said Mantha. "As a young guy like me, that's what I want to do and where I want to be at the end of the day."
Gryba's advice to Mantha? Be a sponge.
"Go through this league and develop your game, hone your skills, and really become a true pro day in and day out because a lot of guys would not be ready to go right to the NHL and be a pro every single day and go through the schedule and learn the ins and outs of pro hockey," Gryba said. "It's a good opportunity to soak up as much as you can, learn as much as you can, and that will translate into making it at the next level."
Another veteran who has helped Mantha along this season has been one who plays a completely different position, but one who also knows the opportunity the AHL offers.
"It may sound funny, but Eddie Pasquale, the goalie, has helped me out a ton. He's an older guy as well, he's been around so I go out to dinner with him on the road and stuff like that. But he's been a big help, at the same time, of (helping me) not get caught up in things, relax and just play my game."
Mantha describes himself as a two-way defenceman, who puts his first emphasis on the d-zone.
