Josh Manson hoisted the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. (The Associated Press)

By Nolan Kowal

P.A. Roots

‘I call it my hometown’: Manson’s passion for hockey rooted in P.A.

Jun 8, 2024 | 12:00 PM

Denver, Colorado is roughly 1,000 miles due south of Prince Albert, Sask., but you would never know that in having a conversation with Josh Manson.

The NHL defenceman, fresh off another strong season with the Colorado Avalanche, spent a good chunk of his childhood in P.A.

“I still would consider Saskatchewan and Prince Albert where I spent the most formidable years of my life,” said Manson. “I call it my hometown. I wasn’t born there, but I would say that’s the city that shaped my life and where I made the majority of my friends growing up, where I have the most fond memories.”

Manson added that the city was instrumental in establishing his connection to the sport he now plays professionally.

“I would confidently say that I don’t think I make the NHL if I didn’t grow up in Prince Albert,” said Manson, who was actually born in a Chicago suburb following his dad Dave’s stint with the Blackhawks. “It was just establishing that hockey culture and I think part of my game kind of came from being raised in that city and playing against the people that I did. So I attribute a lot to Prince Albert.”

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Manson will be entering his 12th NHL season come this fall. But first, he has plans to return to his hometown to spend some time at Christopher Lake with his family this summer.

Manson is just one of several Prince Albert-born players who have played in the world’s top league, proof that the city continues to punch above its weight in the vast hockey world.

“If I had to guess I think it’s just the fact that people love hockey (in Prince Albert). Growing up it was what we did. There’s so many ice rinks in Prince Albert, so much ice is available through out the winter,” Manson said. “All your friends play for the most part, so that’s where you can go and hang out with your friends. It just seems like it’s so ingrained in the culture of hockey.”

“You start doing that all the time and I think as you grow it just helps develop you. And when you’re passionate about it and that’s all you do, it’s inevitable that you’re going to get some good players come out of the city.”

Manson also offered his take on the upcoming Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, which begins Saturday.

“Playing Florida this year…they were outstanding. And Edmonton when they were playing their game they were outstanding and it seems like they’ve found it here as of late,” he said.

“I think it’s going to be a really close final, I don’t want to lean one way or the other…it’s going to be a good series.”

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nolan.kowal@pattisonmedia.com