No one says farewell to a city where they spent four years of their life and 250 games of their hockey career on a whim. Least of all Quinn Mantei, always one of the more cerebral players on the Brandon Wheat Kings.
The former Wheat Kings captain announced earlier this month he’d be taking his talents to Providence College next season to play NCAA hockey for the Friars. But there were some long, emotional discussions and plenty of introspection before he made his choice.
“There are definitely mixed emotions about it,” Mantei said. “Excitement is the main one now that I’ve settled into a decision finally and I can look forward to what’s to come. But there were definitely some tough days when making the decision. There are a lot of memories in Brandon and a lot of good people I’m going to have to move on from for this season, which is never easy. But this is an opportunity I couldn’t really pass up for me to take the next step in my hockey career.”
And what an opportunity it is. Since Nate Leaman took over the Friars hockey coaching job in 2011, the team has won a national title and had only one losing season, while Leaman himself coached Team U.S.A. to gold at the World Juniors in 2021. They’re also, as it happens, in the market for defensemen.
“Over the past few years they’ve made the tournament a number of times, so it’s always good to go into a competitive program,” said Mantei. “The big thing for me was opportunity and feeling wanted, and I’m getting both of those at Providence. They lost a couple of d-men here this upcoming season so there are spots open and opportunity for me to come in and prove myself right away. The love from them all along, through the whole process, made me feel wanted there and they feel like I’m the right guy and right fit for their spots that are opening up.”
Quinn Mantei was a star on the ice, but also successful in the classroom with the Wheat Kings. (Photo by Scramble Studio)
Another thing that appealed to Mantei was the academic strength of the school, and that’s in line with the kind of student he was as a Wheat King. In 2022-23, Mantei won the Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy for Scholastic Player of the Year in the WHL.
“I’m honestly a little excited about that, to progress in another area of my life and have another focus besides hockey,” he said. “I think it’ll be good to have a balance and be able to get my mind off of it. I think it’ll get me into a good routine and take me back a little bit to the school days.”
Make no mistake, however, as academically inclined as Mantei may be, the NHL is still the final goal. After four seasons with the Wheat Kings, he felt it was time to test himself at a level with older, more mature competition.
“That (the NHL) is the end goal, and I think I’ve put myself in a great spot to be able to develop and prove that I can play with older, stronger guys,” Mantei said. “I think once I’ve proved that, I’ll have a shot at least, and put myself in a good position to go after that opportunity.”
More and more WHL players are going after that newly-available opportunity in the NCAA, but not all are going about it the same way. Among 2005-born players, it’s been fairly evenly divided as to which players are leaving the league early and which are remaining to finish out their eligibility. Even on the Wheat Kings it’s an even split; forward Matteo Michels announced he’s going to the NCAA in 2026-27 but coming back to play his final WHL season first. So how does a player make that choice exactly?
“In all situations, I think it’s about fit, opportunity, and what kind of situation you’re going to,” said Mantei. “Lots of guys are coming back (to the WHL) and they believe that’s the right decision for them and honestly, for me, I don’t think there was a wrong answer. Coming back to Brandon, I could’ve played a big role and captained a really strong team that’s going to make a run at things. Or, as I’ve decided, I could go down to Providence and have an opportunity to have a new set of eyes on me in a competitive place as well. If you’re capable of getting down there and playing at that level, and you’re going to be in the lineup, I think that’s really intriguing for a lot of guys. The guys who are coming back are feeling like they need that one more year being able to dominate the league and it will put them in a better spot. I couldn’t disagree with that. It’s a very personal thing.”
Mantei is one of several WHLers who’ve quickly found an opportunity in the NCAA ranks. (Photo courtesy Andy Devlin)
As you might be able to tell from his answers, Mantei gave this choice plenty of thought. Part of the reason he wrestled with it as long as he did is he knows what he’s leaving behind in Brandon. Mantei arrived in Brandon at the age of 16 and it has been his second home ever since, and the Wheat Kings have become a second family.
“It was super special, and I enjoyed all the time spent there,” he said. “I met tons of great people and created friendships and memories that will last forever, and I’ll forever be grateful for the organization, the city, my billets, teammates, everybody that contributed to my life in Brandon. It’s a tough, tough pill to swallow that I’m not going to be coming back, but I couldn’t be more grateful for my time spent there.”
“I liked our group a lot every year,” he added, “but there was something different about being part of the older crew and leading the charge out there. Being named captain was a really, really special moment.”
Mantei leaves the Wheat Kings, and junior hockey in general, at an interesting time in the sport’s history. The NCAA opportunity he’s taken full advantage of wasn’t there when he joined the league in 2021-22, and now new players will have to navigate a totally new landscape. He offered those young players this advice:
“The biggest thing is to be grateful,” he said. “The timing, for me personally and all the guys coming behind me, we’re so lucky that this came into play. That’s been my mindset all along. Yeah, it’s a tough decision, it’s a tough process, you’re talking to teams and there’s a lot going on, but in the long run this is a good thing for hockey.”
Mantei finished his Wheat Kings career with 250 games played in the regular season, in which he put up 14 goals, 98 assists, and 112 points. He was the team’s three-time reigning Defenseman of the Year.
