Manitoba Moose

Manitoba Moose

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES Manitoba Moose defenceman Tyrel Bauer (2) is known for dropping the gloves, logging 401 penalty minutes in his career with the club.

Bauer no longer one-trick pugilistic pony

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Thursday, Apr. 30, 2026

A funny thing happened along the way as Winnipeg Jets prospect Tyrel Bauer began to establish himself as a true heavyweight and one of the toughest customers in the American Hockey League.

“The one thing Tyrel has brought to his game now is he’s a good hockey player,” his head coach Mark Morrison said Thursday.

“You know, we used to not care so much if Tyrel missed five minutes for a fight. Now we do. We need him on the ice. He’s brought a whole different element to his game. He can’t just fly off the handle and sit in the penalty box.”

While Morrison’s words may strike some as a backhanded compliment, that’s not the case: It’s high praise for a player who has become a fixture on the Manitoba Moose blue line — and perhaps on the cusp of an NHL debut.

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Jeff Roberson / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Fresh off his NCAA Frozen Four national title with the University of Denver Pioneers, Garrett Brown (5) joins the Manitoba Moose in the hunt for the Calder Cup.

Newly-signed defenceman Brown brings confidence to Moose roster

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

Newly-signed defenceman Brown brings confidence to Moose roster

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Thursday, Apr. 23, 2026

Garrett Brown is ready for the next exam, even if this one won’t take place in the classroom.

Fresh off helping the University of Denver Pioneers capture an NCAA record-setting 11th Frozen Four national championship, Brown recently inked an entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets that kicks in next season.

In the meantime, he’s joined the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League on an amateur tryout offer for the Calder Cup playoff run, which resumes on Friday at Canada Life Centre against the Milwaukee Admirals.

Brown could have considered going back to Denver for his fourth and final season of eligibility to chase another championship, but he felt ready to tackle this next challenge.

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Thursday, Apr. 23, 2026
KYUSUNG GONG / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets defenceman Elias Salomonsson has cleared concussion protocol and plans to be a full participant at Thursday’s Moose practice, paving the way for a Game 2 Calder Cup playoffs debut on Friday.

Salomonsson hopes to be in Manitoba Moose lineup for Game 2 against Milwaukee

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

Salomonsson hopes to be in Manitoba Moose lineup for Game 2 against Milwaukee

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 22, 2026

Elias Salomonsson isn’t holding a grudge, he’s viewing his time in concussion protocol — and the reason behind it — as a valuable learning opportunity.

As the Winnipeg Jets top defence prospect spoke to the media for the first time since being on the receiving end of a reverse hit that knocked him out of the final seven games of the NHL season, Salomonsson made it clear he had no issue whatsoever with the check Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson delivered in the second period of a game on April 2.

“It was a good hit. I have nothing bad to say about the hit,” said Salomonsson, who was loaned to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League on Wednesday but wasn’t in the lineup for Game 1 of the Calder Cup playoffs against the Milwaukee Admirals. “I just wasn’t ready for it, so it’s a learning lesson for me, for sure.”

This was the first concussion Salomonsson has dealt with during his hockey career and working his way through the symptoms brought some challenges, though he passed his baseline test on Tuesday and was removed from concussion protocol.

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Wednesday, Apr. 22, 2026
Mike Sudoma / FREE PRESS FILES Manitoba Moose forward Colby Barlow is riding high on the eve of his first Calder Cup playoffs after regaining his scoring touch.

Moose forward goes into first AHL post-season campaign with hot hands

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Moose forward goes into first AHL post-season campaign with hot hands

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Tuesday, Apr. 21, 2026

Colby Barlow had his patience tested, so naturally, his confidence was occasionally wavering.

But on the eve of his first taste of the Calder Cup playoffs, the Manitoba Moose forward prospect is riding high after regaining his scoring touch.

Barlow, who was chosen 18th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2023 draft, battled his way through some lengthy dry spells and has been firing on all cylinders as the Moose welcome the Milwaukee Admirals to Canada Life Centre on Wednesday to open a best-of-three series.

“Yeah, it can get frustrating, for sure,” said Barlow, who finished his first full professional season with eight goals and 16 points in 65 games.

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Tuesday, Apr. 21, 2026
Mike Sudoma / FREE PRESS Manitoba Moose forward Jacob Julien (right) battles for the puck with Grand Rapids Griffins’ John Leonard at Canada Life Centre on Friday. Julien scored his first professional goal for the Moose in the matinee clash.

Moose in playoff hunt

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Moose in playoff hunt

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

Not unlike the parent club, time is of the essence these days for the Manitoba Moose.

But in contrast to the Winnipeg Jets, the American Hockey League squad is currently on the right side of the playoff line. However, their perch got a bit more perilous on Friday afternoon following a 6-3 loss to the Grand Rapids Griffins at Canada Life Centre to kick off a crucial, six-game homestand.

It was a roller-coaster game that saw the Moose go down 3-0 after 20 minutes, claw back to tie it in the second period, then give up three straight late goals (including an empty-netter) to the No. 1 team in the Central Division.

“We made some irresponsible plays with the puck and they pounced. That’s who they are,” said head coach Mark Morrison. “The way we’ve played the game as of late, we don’t score a lot of goals. So when we score three, we’ve got to win the hockey game. To give up some Grade A chances against to that team, they’re going to put them in.”

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Friday, Apr. 3, 2026
Kiyoshi Ota / International Skating Union Winnipeg’s Skylar Van Horne will represent Canada at the ISU Junior World Cup Final (Feb. 21-22) and ISU World Junior Speed Skating Championships (Feb. 27 to March 1) in Inzell, Germany.

Van Horne sets sights on 2030 French Alps Games

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

Van Horne sets sights on 2030 French Alps Games

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

Skylar Van Horne was in the middle of training at the Olympic Oval in Calgary on Monday morning when she and the rest of her teammates stopped in their tracks with intrigue as the TV cut to the women’s 1,000-metre speed skating final in Milan.

One of her favourite Olympic events, the Winnipeg-born speed skater marvelled as a pair of Dutch athletes sped to gold and silver, and Béatrice Lamarche of Quebec City narrowly missed the podium in fifth place, which was the best of three Canadians in the event.

The winner, Jutta Leerdam, set an Olympic record previously held by Japan’s Miho Takagi, who won bronze and happens to be someone Van Horne idolizes.

The 18-year-old Van Horne, who will take a different world stage later this month, couldn’t help but feel inspired after watching her fellow countrywomen and witnessing a piece of sports history.

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Monday, Feb. 9, 2026
John Woods / The Canadian Press files Winnipeg Jets defenceman Elias Salomonsson (left) continues to impress in his development, playing in just his 10th NHL game Thursday night against Tampa Bay.

Samberg pays it forward to Salomonsson

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

Samberg pays it forward to Salomonsson

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026

TAMPA, Fla. — It wasn’t all that long ago when the proverbial skate was on the other foot for Dylan Samberg.

The Winnipeg Jets defenceman could only smile and chuckle when asked about the idea of serving as a mentor for top prospect Elias Salomonsson after the morning skate and prior to taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night.

“It’s weird. I was in his shoes a few years ago,” said Samberg, who turned 27 last week. “Now to be called a mentor is a little bit different. It makes me feel old. It’s good. I’m just trying to help him as much as possible and trying to make sure he has fun while he’s doing it.”

The fun factor has been apparent for both Samberg and Salomonsson of late, as the duo has been seeing plenty of high-leverage minutes against the most skilled forwards of the opponents in recent games.

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Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Manitoba Moose forward Danny Zhilkin makes his first NHL start with the Winnipeg Jets Thursday night against the Edmonton Oilers.

Zhilkin fired up to face Oilers in NHL debut

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Zhilkin fired up to face Oilers in NHL debut

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026

The topic nearly brings a tear to the eyes of Danny Zhilkin and it’s easy to understand why, once you peel off a few layers of his back story.

Making sacrifices are an essential part of the long and winding journey for every player that realizes the dream of making it to the NHL, but it doesn’t often include moving to a foreign land at a young age just to enhance your opportunity.

That’s part of why Zhilkin couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he prepared to make his NHL debut for the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers.

Zhilkin was recalled from the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League on Monday and the first call he made after hearing the news was to his parents.

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Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Jets forward Phillip Di Giuseppe (left) is thrilled to be getting a fresh start with the club.

‘I wanted to continue to be part of a winning culture’

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

‘I wanted to continue to be part of a winning culture’

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Friday, Sep. 26, 2025

Phil Di Giuseppe had to wait a dozen seasons as a pro hockey player before experiencing what it was like to finally reach the top of the mountain.

So, while Di Giuseppe is more than happy to discuss the fresh start he’s getting with the Winnipeg Jets organization during his first training camp, you can understand why he’s so appreciative of his recent run to the Calder Cup title with the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League.

“It was awesome. It took me 12 years to win a championship,” said Di Giuseppe. “So, you learn that the chances are tough to come by. Everything needs to go right and you have to have all of the pieces in place to do it.”

Di Giuseppe, who signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Jets on July 1, had appeared in 101 NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks during the past three seasons and at one point was skating on a line with J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser.

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Friday, Sep. 26, 2025

Jets sign defenceman Isaak Phillips

Ken Wiebe 2 minute read Friday, Jul. 11, 2025

The Winnipeg Jets have agreed to terms with depth defenceman Isaak Phillips on a two-year, two-way contract, the team announced on Friday afternoon.

Phillips, 23, was a restricted free agent and recorded two goals and 10 points in 56 career games with the Chicago Blackhawks and has 26 goals and 87 points in 239 American Hockey League games with the Manitoba Moose and Rockford IceHogs.

Phillips plays a physical game and will be counted on by the Moose and could work himself into a call-up situation because of his robust style of play.

The deal for Phillips carries an AAV of US$812,5000 in the NHL — US$775,000 in the first season and US$850,000 in the second.

Driedger brings depth to hometown team

Driedger brings depth to hometown team

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Driedger brings depth to hometown team

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Thursday, Apr. 3, 2025

LAS VEGAS — Chris Driedger is quick to admit he was a little bit surprised to see the number for Roberto Luongo pop up on his phone on the day of the NHL trade deadline.

The veteran netminder had just been reassigned to the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League by the Florida Panthers, but this wasn’t a social call from Luongo, the Hall of Fame goalie who is now a special advisor to general manager Bill Zito.

Driedger was on the move again, this time to his hometown as the Winnipeg Jets had acquired him as goaltending insurance in a deal for Kaapo Kahkonen.

“It came as a surprise,” Driedger said in an interview earlier this week. “It was kind of a whirlwind, for sure. It took me a minute to process and then, it was exciting. To come back to Winnipeg and come back home. An exciting opportunity, too.”

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Thursday, Apr. 3, 2025
Jason Franson / THE CANADIAN PRESS files Jets forward Parker Ford (left) will have friends and family in the stands Thursday for his NHL debut.

Ford firing on all cylinders after Jets recall

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Ford firing on all cylinders after Jets recall

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025

BOSTON — Parker Ford was in a deep sleep, though this jarring phone call was one he’d been waiting for his entire life.

As he awoke in a hotel room in the Chicago suburbs preparing to suit up for the Manitoba Moose on Wednesday night, the voice on the other end of the line told him he’d been recalled by the Winnipeg Jets.

This was not a dream though, it was very much a reality.

“We were on a road trip and I was actually pre-game napping and my phone started ringing,” Ford said after the morning skate on Thursday. “I thought it was my alarm, but it was the call. Yeah, just pure joy in the moment.”

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Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025
Morgan Barron was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday, according to Puck Pedia. (David Zalubowski / The Associated Press files)

Jets put Barron on injured reserve

Ken Wiebe 3 minute read Preview

Jets put Barron on injured reserve

Ken Wiebe 3 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025

BOSTON — Morgan Barron is the latest Winnipeg Jets player to be bitten by the injury bug.

The Winnipeg Jets forward was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday, according to Puck Pedia.

That would leave the Jets with only 12 healthy forwards, so it probably wasn’t a coincidence Parker Ford was scratched from the Manitoba Moose on Wednesday night.

An official recall of a forward isn’t expected until Thursday morning, since the Jets had already recalled Brad Lambert for the three-game road trip.

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Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025
Bailey Hillesheim / The Associated Press files Jets centre Brad Lambert (left) had an assist in his NHL regular-season debut last spring.

Lambert gets the call with Ehlers on injured reserve

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

Lambert gets the call with Ehlers on injured reserve

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024

Nikolaj Ehlers has moved past the day-to-day stage, but by all accounts, the Winnipeg Jets high-scoring winger isn’t going to be out long term.

The Danish forward suffered a lower-body injury in the second period of Friday’s game with the Vegas Golden Knights after a collision with Pavel Dorofeyev where he appeared to injure his left leg.

Ehlers was placed on injured reserve Tuesday morning, retroactive to Nov. 29, though he’s likely to be out until at least the Jets return from the upcoming two-game road swing with games against the Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks — though the timeline is fluid.

“A little bit worse than at first (suspected), but we’ll just see,” Jets head coach Scott Arniel said before his team took on the St. Louis Blues. “He’ll probably be out a week to 10 days. But hopefully less than that. We’ll just kind of monitor him every day.”

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Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Kaapo Kahkonen is settling in with the Manitoba Moose after being claimed on waivers twice already this season.

Nomadic netminder Kahkonen back between pipes for Manitoba Moose

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 4 minute read Preview

Nomadic netminder Kahkonen back between pipes for Manitoba Moose

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 4 minute read Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024

The American Hockey League season hasn’t reached its quarter point, but it’s already been quite the journey for Manitoba Moose goaltender Kaapo Kähkönen.

“It’s such a crazy world,” said Kähkönen after Thursday morning practice at Canada Life Centre. “It’s a business; I understand it’s part of it… but ideally you’d like to stay somewhere for a little longer.”

The 28-year-old product of Helsinki, Finland, signed a one-year, US$1-million deal with the Jets this summer, expecting to get a kick at the can playing in the number two spot behind 2024 Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck.

Kähkönen lost out on the backup position spot to Eric Comrie and was placed on waivers on Oct. 11 for the purpose of reassignment to the AHL with the Moose.

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Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Ville Heinola played his first game in seven months Thursday when the Manitoba Moose hosted the Chicago Wolves.

Heinola solid in season debut with Moose

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

Heinola solid in season debut with Moose

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024

More than 20 minutes of ice time. A shot on goal and a couple of bumps and bruises to mark his official welcome.

All in all, it was a successful season debut for Ville Heinola.

The Winnipeg Jets’ Finnish-born defenceman, who is in the final stages of working back from a second ankle surgery, was given an opportunity to work in every phase in the first of a two-game conditioning stint with Manitoba Moose, which ended in a 5-0 loss to the Chicago Wolves at the downtown rink on Thursday.

A rare 10:30 a.m. puck drop before a raucous crowd of more than 5,000 — predominantly school kids — was an unusual setting for Heinola’s first taste of game action, to say the least.

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Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024

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