Anthony Mantha Out With Broken Tibia
Perhaps the most naturally skilled player taken in the 2014 draft will not even get a shot to compete for a spot right out of training camp due to a devastating injury. Anthony Mantha, the Red Wings top prospect with the best shot to make the roster will be on the shelf for 6-8 weeks with a broken right tibia.
#RedWings GM Ken Holland said Anthony Mantha will miss 6-8 weeks with fractured right tibia.
— Bill Roose (@Bill_Roose) September 18, 2014
The good news for Mantha and the Red Wings is that the skilled forward will not require surgery to fix the broken tibia. He suffered the injury during the first period of Monday’s game when the Red Wings were facing the Minnesota Wild and he sat out the next few games due a knee injury. At the time they believed it was not that serious. His skate got cut in a rut on the ice and he was unable to protect himself from the ensuing hit and when he woke up the next morning his leg was quite swollen.
Mantha was injured in Monday's prospects game. Leg caught in rut and got hit. No surgery.
— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) September 18, 2014
The Red Wings used their first round 20th overall pick to select Anthony Mantha from the QMJHL and many believed that despite him not being in the top 10 he was the most NHL ready player. His skill and leadership were on full display for all to see during his season in the QMJHL where he turned a lot of heads.
Mantha was being projected as the first 19 year old to lace-up for the Red Wings in the last 15 years, should he have cracked the roster which many expected him to. The Red Wings themselves said they were going to take a long, hard look at the prospect during camp.
To prepare for the upcoming season and the rough training camp battle, Mantha packed on 17 pounds of muscle to improve his 6 foot 4, 204 pound frame. Physically he may have indeed been ready for NHL action. Unfortunately Anthony Mantha will instead have to watch other Red Wings prospects battle it out during training camp as he hobbles around on crutches waiting to make his comeback.
A shot of Wings prospect Anthony Mantha on crutches. Says this is first major injury he's suffered. pic.twitter.com/IVaLEPsIr1
— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) September 18, 2014
Last season in the QMJHL he helped lead the Val-d’Or Foreurs to the QMJHL championship with 2 goals and 38 points in the postseason alone. He also laced up for Canada at the World Juniors and was one of the Foreurs best players during the Memorial Cup. At this point it seems most likely that he will return for another season with the Foreurs after his leg heals up.
It’s a tough break for both the Detroit Red Wings and top prospect Anthony Mantha.