Former University of Denver goaltender Peter Mannino (BSBA ’08) has signed a one year two-way free agent contract with the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Mannino is expected to make his professional debut next season for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League.
Mannino led the Pioneers back to the NCAA Tournament and broke Gerry Powers’ 38-year career shutouts mark in 2007–08. He tied Stephen Wagner for first place on DU’s single-season games played list with his 40th start against Wisconsin on March 29.
Mannino finished third in single-season shutouts (6), fourth in saves percentage (.917), tied for fourth in goals against average (2.27) and tied for seventh in wins (26). In addition, Mannino was named to the Lowes Senior CLASS first team for accomplishments on and off the ice.
The 6 foot, 195-pound netminder finished his stellar four-year DU career ranked first in shutouts (15), second in saves percentage (.917), and third in saves percentage (2.35) and wins (63). Mannino was named Most Outstanding Player at the 2005 NCAA Frozen Four after helping the Pioneers to their seventh NCAA National Championship. Mannino stopped 81 of 85 shots in the tournament, including a career-high 44 in DU’s 4-1 win over North Dakota in the title game.
“We are obviously excited for Peter and his opportunity to play professional,” DU head coach George Gwozdecky says. “Peter is a talented goaltender and fierce competitor who had an outstanding career at DU.”
Mannino is the second Pioneer to sign a professional contract following the 2007–08 season. Junior defenseman Chris Butler signed with Buffalo on April 15.