Manitoba Moose – Winnipeg Free Press

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 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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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

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

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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

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 6 minute read Preview

Heinola solid in season debut with Moose

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 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

Sanghoon Shin began his North American career in Atlanta with the ECHL Gladiators

The Korean Kid looks for a hockey home

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

The Korean Kid looks for a hockey home

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Monday, Sep. 30, 2024

Forget about the road less travelled. Sanghoon Shin is on a rather unprecedented hockey journey, one that has landed the South Korean right here in Winnipeg.

The 31-year-old is attempting to keep his NHL dream alive by trying out for the Manitoba Moose.

“I am lucky to be able to come here,” he told the Free Press on Monday following the start of AHL training camp.

Shin is a fascinating story. He fell in love with hockey as a child growing up in Seoul, watching his older brother player the sport, and clearly has some natural gifts along with a tireless work ethic that has earned him praise at plenty of stops along the way.

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Monday, Sep. 30, 2024

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
Josh Gratton’s career has taken him to numerous teams on three continents as a player and coach.

Journeyman puckster brings enthusiasm and experience to Winnipeg Blues bench

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Journeyman puckster brings enthusiasm and experience to Winnipeg Blues bench

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Monday, Sep. 9, 2024

Josh Gratton’s hockey resume reads more like a globe-trotting adventure novel.

From starting out with the St. Mary’s Lincolns of the now-defunct Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League to making it to the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers and Phoenix Coyotes, the 42-year-old Gratton has pretty much been there and done that when it comes to levels and locations.

There was a brief trip to the Mid-Western Junior Hockey League, four different clubs in the Ontario Hockey League, three separate stints in the ECHL, seven squads in the AHL, two Russian teams, two more in Kazakhstan, one in Denmark, one in Sweden, one in Slovakia, one in France and one in England.

“A lot of good life experiences, that’s for sure,” Gratton told the Free Press on Monday. “I wouldn’t change it. Very fortunate to play the game and see a lot of different places.”

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Monday, Sep. 9, 2024

Tori Hartman/Hershey Bears
Scott Howson, president of the American Hockey League, presents Dylan McIlrath with the Calder Cup.

Three-time Calder Cup champion recounts ‘electric’ experience

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Three-time Calder Cup champion recounts ‘electric’ experience

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Monday, Aug. 5, 2024

This is one hat trick Dylan McIlrath won’t soon forget.

The Winnipegger recently captained the Hershey Bears to an American Hockey League championship, which gave him three Calder Cups on his resume — including back-to-back titles with the primary affiliate of the Washington Capitals.

“It was pretty surreal, to be honest. It hasn’t fully sunk in. Going back to back with the Bears, it’s been a wild two years,” McIlrath said in a recent interview. “A lot of hockey. But it’s been great. Really exciting times.”

Exciting times indeed.

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Monday, Aug. 5, 2024

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES
Goalie Thomas Milic recorded 20 stops.

Moose season comes to an end in Texas

Staff 1 minute read Preview

Moose season comes to an end in Texas

Staff 1 minute read Thursday, Apr. 25, 2024

The Manitoba Moose’s season ended Thursday.

The American Hockey League club was swept in the best-of-three Central Division play-in series after being blanked 2-0 by the Texas Stars at H-E-B Centre.

It was the third season in a row that the club lost in its first playoff series.

Fredrik Karlström scored both goals for the hosts, opening the scoring in the first period and adding some insurance in the third.

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Thursday, Apr. 25, 2024

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Manitoba Moose forward Brad Lambert

Surging Moose getting well-acquainted with Stars

3 minute read Preview

Surging Moose getting well-acquainted with Stars

3 minute read Sunday, Apr. 21, 2024

CEDAR PARK, Tex. — The Manitoba Moose need to keep playing big in Texas.

The Moose concluded the American Hockey League season with consecutive victories down south over the weekend and are brimming with confidence as they prepare to start the playoffs in the Lone Star State.

After downing the Texas Stars 4-1 on Saturday night, Manitoba’s focus shifts to the start of the postseason — against those very same Stars.

The Moose, the Winnipeg Jets’ minor-league affiliate, play a best-of-three, opening-round series, all at H-E-B Center in the community just north of Austin.

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Sunday, Apr. 21, 2024

March 16, 2026

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