Scandella did not enjoy a smooth ride to success in the NHL.
A second-round pick by the Minnesota Wild in the 2008 NHL Draft, the defenseman joined the professional ranks in the 2010-11 season, but shuttled between Minnesota and Houston of the American Hockey League as he tried to establish himself. Scandella spent all of the 2011-12 season with Minnesota and played in 63 games, but appeared in only six of the Wild's 48 games in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season.
Scandella did not enjoy a smooth ride to success in the NHL.
A second-round pick by the Minnesota Wild in the 2008 NHL Draft, the defenseman joined the professional ranks in the 2010-11 season, but shuttled between Minnesota and Houston of the American Hockey League as he tried to establish himself. Scandella spent all of the 2011-12 season with Minnesota and played in 63 games, but appeared in only six of the Wild's 48 games in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season.
The 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs proved to be a turning point in Scandella's career. Though Scandella had not played for the Wild since early February, then-coach Mike Yeo put him into the lineup for Game 1 of Minnesota's first-round series with the Chicago Blackhawks. Scandella responded with some of the best hockey of his NHL career to that point and scored his first playoff goal in Game 2. After that series, which Minnesota lost in five games, Scandella signed a two-year contract extension.
He became a defensive fixture the next season. Playing mainly with Jared Spurgeon, Scandella proved to be a willing shot blocker and physical defensive presence who could contribute offensively.
Scandella, who signed a five-year contract extension in November 2014, led Wild defensemen with 90 hits and 11 goals in the 2014-15 season.
He was traded to the Buffalo Sabres on June 30, 2017, then played for three teams in 2019-20. The Sabres traded him to the Montreal Canadiens on Jan. 2, 2020, and then was sent to the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 18.
The nephew of former NHL player Sergio Momesso also helped Canada win the IIHF 2008 World Under-18 Championship and finish second in 2010 at the IIHF World Junior Championship.
NOTES & TRANSACTIONS
- Traded to Buffalo by Minnesota with Jason Pominville and Minnesota's 4th round pick in 2018 NHL Draft for Tyler Ennis, Marcus Foligno and Buffalo's 3rd round pick in 2018 NHL Draft, June 30, 2017.
- Traded to Montreal by Buffalo for a 4th-round pick in 2020 NHL Draft, January 2, 2020.
- Traded to St. Louis by Montreal for a 2nd-round pick in 2020 NHL Draft and a conditional pick in 2021 NHL Draft, February 18, 2020.
