Anthony Mantha has made a strong recovery from knee surgery and is now a key forward in the Pittsburgh Penguins' top-six lineup. The 31-year-old signed a one-year contract with the team in July and has formed a strong partnership with Evgeni Malkin on the second line. In a recent interview, Mantha shared insights into his family hockey heritage and life beyond the ice.
Last season, Anthony Mantha appeared in only 13 games for the Calgary Flames before a season-ending knee surgery sidelined him. Exactly 12 months later, he has fully recovered and become a mainstay on the Penguins' second line alongside Evgeni Malkin, showcasing strong chemistry during training camp and the first six weeks of the regular season.
Malkin praised his linemate, saying, “He’s a great player. He’s fast and has a long stick. He’s physical, he can score, he can do everything. I’m glad we signed him.”
Hockey runs deep in Mantha's family. His grandfather, Andre Pronovost, won four Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1950s and played one season with the Pittsburgh Hornets in the 1960s. Mantha drew inspiration from Pronovost's stories, particularly a lesson about shooting the puck 'through the net,' a mindset he once applied in a minor league game. Pronovost watched Mantha's junior games closely, offering tips after reviewing footage multiple times.
Mantha's nickname 'Moe' originated from a mistaken Detroit reporter's article linking him to former Penguins player Moe Mantha, which became a locker room joke. He wears number 39, assigned during his first Detroit camp, and it stuck across teams. Growing up, his favorite player was Joe Sakic, whose videos he studied extensively.
Off the ice, Mantha is expecting his third child and cherishes the bond with his kids, especially after road trips. His sister, Elizabeth, is a professional referee in leagues like the PWHL and AHL, heading to her second Olympics this winter. Summers in Quebec involve family time, golf, and pickleball. Mantha enjoys country music from Chris Stapleton, UFC podcasts, and shows like Yellowstone, while his cheat meal is poutine.
If not in the NHL, he dreams of being a golfer or working as an accountant.