Brandon Astle

I'll just tell you a story about what happened with Manny and a veteran player.

Early on in Manny's tenure, it was his first year.

I'm not going to mention this player's name because he's still playing, but he had issues getting into the lineup in like October.

And that was very new to this player because he was very good and proven.

But he couldn't get in and fans thought he was hurt, but he was really a healthy scratch.

And obviously that player didn't take it well.

And rightfully so, I wouldn't either.

But Manny let him know where he stood and had open lines of communication and let him know, like, this is what I need to see for you to be a staple in the lineup.

And eventually that player got there and was a huge part of the Calder Cup win.

And a great story on top of that is when they won the Calder Cup in Charlotte, it was about an hour after the game.

Everybody was up in the banquet room.

The team was celebrating.

And I happened to stand by Manny and this player.

I can't confirm or deny if it was by the open bar or not.

We'll leave that to the imagination.

But I was just standing there and I saw those two have a conversation.

And Manny blurted out, hey, remember when I scratched you for the first two weeks of the season?

And they bursted out laughing.

And I could tell, like, the player really appreciated going through those struggles.

And obviously, like I mentioned, it's something he never went through.