After getting a taste of the ECHL following his NCAA Division I career last season, Dustin Manz has signed with the Wheeling Nailers for his first full professional season. In six regular season games last season with the Nailers, Manz tallied two goals, while putting up one assists in five Kelly Cup Playoff games.
Manz played his U16 AAA with Little Caesars for two seasons (2014-15 and 2015-16), where he played 48 games, recording 18 goals and 21 assists. In 2016, Manz was the 311th pick in the USHL Entry Draft by the Sioux City Musketeers. He ended up playing the 2016-17 in the NAHL with the Aston Rebels. He played 56 games, notching four goals, 12 assists, and a very impressive +19 rating during the regular season. He added 4 points (3g-1a) to his tally in 12 games during the Robertson Cup Playoffs. After one season in the NAHL, Manz went over to Canada to play in the British Columbia Hockey League with the Prince George Spruce Kings. In two seasons with the Spruce Kings, Manz played 116 games, tallying 48 goals and 65 assists. In both seasons, the Spruce Kings made it to the playoffs where Manz played 41 games, tallying 12 goals and 13 assists. Manz and the Spruce Kings won the BCHL championship in his final season.
Manz committed to Lake Superior State University beginning with the 2019-20 school year. He played three years at Lake Superior State, being named assistant captain in his final year there. He had a rough career stats-wise there as he played 103 games, notching 11 goals and 19 assists with a -16 rating. Lake Superior State won the NCAA (WCHA) Championship to end the 2020-21 season. Manz transferred to American International College for his senior and graduate seasons, and played much better there. In two years, he played 78 games, collecting 17 goals and 38 assists with a -1 rating.
