Anthony Mantha and Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe enter camp with hockey taking a back seat after a painful loss in Mantha's family.
André Pronovost, Mantha's grandfather and a four-time Stanley Cup champion with the Montreal Canadiens, passed away Tuesday at 90 years old.
The Canadiens announced Pronovost's passing, bringing immediate attention back to a player whose name remains tied to one of the franchise's greatest eras.
For Mantha, the news hits much closer. Pronovost wasn't simply part of Canadiens history. He was family, giving the moment a personal weight far beyond anything connected to training camp or the upcoming season.
Pronovost won four Stanley Cups during his NHL career, establishing a legacy that remains connected to Montreal generations later.
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That family connection also adds another layer to Mantha's own path through Quebec hockey. The Longueuil native has spent years carrying expectations tied to his size, scoring ability and roots in the province.
Mantha is now preparing for a new chapter with the New Jersey Devils, where Sheldon Keefe will oversee another talented roster with expectations to push deep into the season.
Mantha begins a new chapter in New Jersey
The veteran winger signed a two-year contract with the Devils during the offseason carrying a $4.75 million average annual value.
That move followed a stretch in which Montreal had been connected to Mantha, creating obvious intrigue given his Quebec background and his family's history with the Canadiens.
Instead, New Jersey became his landing spot. It gives Mantha another opportunity to establish himself in a lineup where his size and finishing touch could earn him meaningful top-six minutes.
But hockey will understandably take a secondary place around Mantha right now. Losing a grandfather with such a deep connection to both his family and the sport creates a different kind of week before camp gets rolling.
Pronovost's passing also closes another chapter from Montreal's championship history. His accomplishments remain part of the Canadiens' record, while his influence carries forward through Mantha and the rest of the family.
For Mantha, the next season will begin with a new jersey, a new locker room and a heavy family moment behind it. The hockey world's attention is with the Mantha and Pronovost families.
Will Anthony Mantha become an important top-six piece for the Devils this season?
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