Pacey, left-footed fullback Mantas the latest Winnipeg product to join Griffins

EDMONTON – With a long list of accomplishments from his high school days that speak to his versatility as a fullback, Winnipeg's Dimitri Mantas is set to bring his impressive skill-set to the MacEwan Griffins next fall.

Head coach Adam Loga announced Tuesday that the AK Academy, Glenlawn Collegiate product will be MacEwan bound in 2026.

"He's kind of a utility guy in a way," said Loga. "From watching him a bit, he kind of reminds me of a Mikey Ho (former Griffins star from 2017-22). He competes, he's quick, he can get in behind. He can play the fullback/wingback position, but he can also play up top in the front three if you just need someone to get in behind and be a pest, if you will. 

"We're looking forward to having him."

Mantas' high school accomplishments include 2023 MSA Cup champion, golden boot winner and finals MVP, and being a part of the 2024 high school premiere provincial indoor championship and provincial outdoor championship rosters. He also won E&E travel team rookie of the year, golden boot, MVP and defender of the year honours in 2024, as well as MVP in 2025. Also, an all-star at three different showcases, Mantas' highlight was winning MVP of 2025 E&E Edmonton Showcase.

Besides his talent, Mantas is left-footed, which is an asset the Griffins were looking for on the left side.

"We're hoping he comes in and makes an impact," said Loga. "We're really light with wing backs and, most importantly, left-footed wing-backs. We're hoping we can add that to the roster, to have a left-footed player available and add some depth in those positions out wide. They're very demanding within our system."

One only needs to look at the work that T-Boy Fayia did this season running up and down the sideline to see evidence of how much is required of fullbacks in the Griffins' system. Due to injuries, they played Abhiroop Sandhu – a central right-footed midfielder – on the left side and while he held his own, Mantas' addition will allow him to return to his natural position.

"Abhi did tremendous, but by getting someone who can add depth and play out wide like Dimitri and getting Malik (Abdul) back from his ankle surgery, it allows us to put a guy like Abhi back in the midfield where he will help us even more, being back where he should be."

Mantas already knows fellow Winnipeg products Azar El Khalla and incoming Griffins recruit Ty Kloppenborg, part of a growing pipeline from Manitoba to MacEwan.

"The biggest fit for me is other than the U of S, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have no men's programs," said Loga. "Here in Alberta, we have five. So, the players coming over here are coming with a bit of a chip on their shoulder, a bit of a mission. Playing U SPORTS is a massive deal and massive goal for them. It isn't a secondary thought. Just to have that mindset and level of compete coming in will help our culture.

"Dimitri is also super smart – 90%+ average kid – so that's always welcomed," Loga added.