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Daylon Mannon is nearly 2000 miles from home. The 20-year-old forward is chasing his hockey dream in the northern community of La Ronge, Saskatchewan. The Fresno, California native has had quite the Junior Hockey career thus far — three leagues and two countries — have led him to where he is today.
Growing up in hockey-crazed California, Mannon played two years for the California Titans 16U program, having an outstanding second season putting up 16-25-41 numbers. During the 2016-17 season, Mannon played for the LA Jr. Kings 18U team, appearing in just nine games, putting up 5 points. There would be big things coming for him the following season.
As an 18-year-old, the 2017-18 season brought big things for Mannon. As a rookie playing for his hometown Fresno Monsters of the Western States Hockey League (WSHL) he had a breakout season amassing an incredible 75 goals and 75 assists in 51 games. Just shy of an unheard-of three-point per game average. Leading the entire league in scoring as a rookie, it was time to move on to bigger things.
Unsurprisingly, the NAHL’s Maryland Black Bears came calling and Mannon suited up for them during the 2018-19 season. He put up respectable 17-15-32 numbers in 49 games during his time in the NAHL. Then it was time to move to a new league one last time.
In June of 2019, it was announced that Mannon would spend his 20-year-old season playing for the La Ronge Ice Wolves of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). Mannon’s former coach in Fresno, Kevin Kaminski, was taking over Head Coach and GM duties for the Ice Wolves and was quoted saying,
“I was told when I took the job the team lacked scoring so the first guy on my mind was Daylon Mannon.”
Mannon has taken on a leading role with the Ice Wolves, leading the team in scoring from the beginning of the season, and has helped take a team that has been at the bottom of the league in recent history to a legitimate playoff contender. He has scored 32 goals and 37 assists so far this season, holding a 17-point lead in team points, as well as sitting fourth in league scoring and being the top-scoring American in the entire league.
Although he is currently not committed to a school for next year, wherever he lands will be getting a forward with exceptional offensive talent. We wish Daylon and the Ice Wolves the best as they head into the playoffs.
