Manitoba Moose

Manitoba Moose
2018–19 AHL season
City Winnipeg, Manitoba
League American Hockey League
Conference Western
Division Central
Founded 1994 (In the IHL)
Home arena Bell MTS Place
Colours Polar Night blue, aviator blue, silver, white
                   
Owner(s) True North Sports & Entertainment
General manager Craig Heisinger
Head coach Pascal Vincent
Captain Peter Stoykewych
Media TSN3
TSN Radio (1290 AM)[1]
Affiliates Winnipeg Jets (NHL)
Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL)
Website MooseHockey.com
Franchise history
1994–1996 Minnesota Moose
1996–2011 Manitoba Moose
2011–2015 St. John's IceCaps
2015–present Manitoba Moose
Championships
Regular season titles 1 (2008–09)
Division Championships 2 (2006–07), (2008–09)
Conference Championships 1 (2008–09)

The Manitoba Moose are a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, that plays in the American Hockey League (AHL). The team plays its home games at Bell MTS Place, the home arena of its parent club, the National Hockey League's Winnipeg Jets.

The franchise was founded as the Minnesota Moose of the International Hockey League (IHL) in 1994. During their first tenure in Winnipeg (1996–2011), the Manitoba Moose played five seasons in the IHL and ten in the AHL. This was followed by four seasons in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador (2011–2015), during which time the team was known as the St. John's IceCaps. The team returned to Winnipeg prior to the 2015–16 season.

History

International Hockey League (1996–2001)

Following the departure of the original Winnipeg Jets franchise to Phoenix in 1996, a group of local businessmen, including Mark Chipman, purchased the Minnesota Moose of the IHL. The team was relocated to Winnipeg to provide a new tenant for the Winnipeg Arena and keep professional hockey in the city.[2][3]

The team's first season in Winnipeg was a disaster. Former Montreal Canadiens coach Jean Perron was brought in to replace Frank Serratore as head coach and general manager. The Moose won only 16 of 50 games under Perron before he was fired on January 4, 1997.[4][5][6] Upon his dismissal, Perron lashed out at team ownership, the media, and the players, including a personal attack on team captain Randy Gilhen.[7][8] Perron threatened legal action against the organization, but nothing came of it.[9] Assistant coach Randy Carlyle, a former Jets defenceman, took over as head coach and led the team to a winning record in their final 32 games of the season, but it was not enough to qualify for the playoffs.

Carlyle served as the head coach and general manager for remainder of the team's tenure in the IHL. The Moose had moderate regular season success and qualified for the Turner Cup playoffs three out of the next four seasons, making it as far as the second round. Carlyle was named the league's General Manager of the Year for the 1998–99 season.[10][11] The Moose did not affiliate with an NHL club while playing in the IHL, although several did loan players to the team.[4]

American Hockey League (2001–present)

2001–2011: Move to the AHL

The Moose and five other IHL teams were accepted into the AHL after the IHL's demise in 2001. The Moose were required to affiliate with an NHL club and became the top affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks,[4] a partnership that would last until the NHL's return to Winnipeg. Former Canucks star Stan Smyl was chosen by the Canucks as the new head coach of the Moose while Carlyle remained as general manager for one season before leaving to join the Washington Capitals coaching staff. In 2002–03, Smyl led the team to the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs, but lost to the Hamilton Bulldogs in seven games. After the team missed the playoffs the following season, Smyl was reassigned within the Canucks organization.[12]

Following the departure of Smyl, Carlyle returned as Moose head coach for the 2004-05 season. It was a season of big changes and new highs for the organization, as the Moose, now owned by True North Sports & Entertainment, played their final game at the old Winnipeg Arena and moved into the brand new MTS Centre (since renamed Bell MTS Place). The Moose made it to the conference final for the first time in team history, but were swept in four games by their old IHL rivals, the Chicago Wolves.[12] Mark Chipman was awarded the James C. Hendy Memorial Award for AHL Executive of the Year. After the season, Carlyle was hired by the Anaheim Ducks as their new head coach, becoming the first of four consecutive Moose head coaches to leave the team for head coaching positions in the NHL.[11]

Former Canadiens head coach Alain Vigneault was brought in as the new head coach for the 2005–06 season. The Moose signed Winnipeg native and three-time Stanley Cup champion Mike Keane and named him captain. Keane quickly became a fan favorite and the team had another great year, but again lost in the second round of the playoffs. After the season, Vigneault was promoted by the Canucks to fill their vacant head coaching position when Marc Crawford was let go.

A Moose game at the then-MTS Centre in 2006

Former Moose captain and assistant coach Scott Arniel was selected to replace Vigneault. Arniel coached the team for four seasons and, in 2008–09, led them to their best season in franchise history when the team finished with 107 points, the best record in the league. In the second round of the 2009 Calder Cup Playoffs, the Moose completed their first playoff sweep in franchise history, defeating the Grand Rapids Griffins. After beating the Houston Aeros in six games to win the Western Conference final, the Moose advanced to the Calder Cup finals for the first time, but lost the championship series in six games to the Hershey Bears.[13][14] Arniel was awarded the Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL Coach of the Year, while general manager Heisinger became the second member of the Moose front office staff to win the James C. Hendy Memorial Award.[15][16]

Arniel became the third Moose coach in six years to make the jump to the NHL when he was hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets as their new head coach in 2010. Ironically, Arniel was replaced by the person he replaced in Columbus, Claude Noel.[17] During the same off-season, Keane's contract was not renewed and his #12 jersey was later retired on Mike Keane Tribute Night, February 12, 2011.[18][19] During the 2011 playoffs, the Moose came back from 3 game to 1 deficit to the Lake Erie Monsters in the first round to advance. They fell behind 3 games to 1 again in round two, this time to the Hamilton Bulldogs, and came back to force a seventh game. However, the Bulldogs took the series with a 2–1 win in triple overtime in the longest Game 7 in AHL history.[20]

During their first tenure in the AHL, the Moose were one of the league's most successful franchises. Home game attendance was among the best in the league every season, including an average of 8,404 per game in the 2010-2011 season.[21] The organization was also popular with the players, as the Moose "had the reputation of being run like an NHL club".[22] League president and CEO David Andrews called the Moose "a flagship franchise for the AHL".[23]

2011–2015: St. John's IceCaps

On May 31, 2011, Mark Chipman announced True North Sports and Entertainment's acquisition of the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers with the intent of relocating the team to Winnipeg for the 2011–12 season. The return of the NHL to Winnipeg prompted True North to find a new home for its AHL franchise, thus ending the team's 15-year tenure in Manitoba. A deal with former Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador Danny Williams was quickly negotiated to relocate the team to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, which was swiftly approved by the AHL Board of Governors.[24] Upon relocation to St. John's, the team was renamed the St. John's IceCaps and became the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets.[25][26]

The success of the AHL franchise continued in St. John's. Attendance at Mile One Centre was strong, as the IceCaps enjoyed the second longest home sellout streak in league history at 120 games between 2011 and 2014.[27][28] In 2011–12, the IceCaps won their division and advanced as far as the conference final. In 2013–14, the IceCaps advanced to the Calder Cup finals for the second time in franchise history, but lost to the Texas Stars in five games.[29]

2015–present: Return to Manitoba

As early as January 2014, Chipman confirmed that True North was looking to move its AHL franchise closer to Winnipeg, with Thunder Bay, Ontario being cited as a preferred destination.[30] Although True North and Danny Williams' group had extended their agreement through 2016, Williams agreed to terminate the deal early after negotiating the relocation the Hamilton Bulldogs to St. John's for the 2015–16 season, retaining the IceCaps' name and graphical identity (with adjustments to match the Habs affiliation) for the relocated club. [31]

As a new arena deal in Thunder Bay was not forthcoming, True North opted to return the franchise to Winnipeg for the 2015—16 season. As a result, the team is currently one of two AHL teams (along with the San Jose Sharks' affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda), that shares an arena with its NHL parent club.[32][33] In May 2015, True North revealed that the team would once again be called the Manitoba Moose, at the same time unveiling slight changes to the former Moose logo and a colour scheme to match the Winnipeg Jets.[34] The team also confirmed that Keith McCambridge, who had been with the Moose/IceCaps since 2009, would remain as head coach.[35]

After one season in Manitoba and missing the playoffs for the second straight season, McCambridge was released by the Jets' organization and replaced by Jets assistant coach Pascal Vincent.[36] The Moose missed the playoffs again in Vincent's first season, but a much improved performance during the 2017–18 season returned the Moose to playoffs again. Vincent was awarded the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award for AHL coach of the year, while two players, defenceman Sami Niku and first year player Mason Appleton won major awards.[37]

Team information

Logos and uniforms

Logo from 2004-2011

The current Manitoba Moose uniforms are similar to those of the Winnipeg Jets, whose colors are polar night blue, aviator blue, silver, and white. However, unlike the Jets, the Moose wear their white uniforms for home games in accordance with AHL rules.[34] During their IHL days, the Moose colors were purple, green, and copper. The team switched to teal, copper, and black after joining the AHL.

The original Minnesota Moose logo, depicting a Moose holding a hockey stick, was carried over when the team moved from Minnesota in 1996. The logo was slightly altered in 2001 to match the team's new color scheme. A new logo created by Milwaukee-based graphic designer David Mann was introduced in 2004 (coinciding with the team's move from Winnipeg Arena to MTS Centre), which the team used until 2011. The Moose returned to a similar logo upon returning to Winnipeg in 2015, albeit with an altered color scheme to match the new team colors and other slight changes.[38][39]

Mascot

Mick E. Moose debuted as the mascot of the Manitoba Moose in 1996. The Winnipeg Jets "recalled" him from the AHL in 2011 to become their mascot following the departure of the Moose to St. John's. He has doubled as mascot for both teams since 2015.[40] Aside from hockey games, Mick E. Moose makes approximately one hundred public appearances each year at various community events.[41]

Media

TSN Radio 1290 (CFRW) streams all Moose games on the internet, while radio broadcasts are carried by CFRW when the Moose schedule does not conflict with Winnipeg Jets broadcasts on the station. Former CBC sportscaster Mitch Peacock is the team's play-by-play announcer.[1] CJOB 680 previously held Moose radio broadcast rights from 1996 to 2011, with Kelly Moore (1996–2006) and Brian Munz (2006–2011) as play-by-play announcers.

Venue

The Manitoba Moose play their home games at Bell MTS Place in downtown Winnipeg, which they share with the Winnipeg Jets. Although the arena seats 15,294 for hockey, only the lower bowl (which seats 8,812) is open for most Moose games. Practices and training sessions are usually held at Bell MTS Iceplex.[42][43]

The team played at the Winnipeg Arena prior to the opening of the Bell MTS Place in November 2004.

Season-by-season results

Regular season

SeasonGamesWonLostTiedOTLSOLPointsGoals
for		Goals
against		Standing
1996–97823240—10—742623005th, Midwest
1997–98823936—7—852692544th, Northwest
1998–99824721—14—1082692362nd, Midwest
1999–2000823731—14—882272375th, West
2000–01823931—12—902222303rd, West
2001–0280393344—862702604th, Canadian
2002–0380373382—842292282nd, Canadian
2003–04803235112—772142326th, North
2004–05804426—73982432103rd, North
2005–06804424—751002432173rd, North
2006–07804523—751022322011st, North
2007–08804627—34992361973rd, North
2008–09805023—161072301771st, League
2009–10804033—52872042324th North
2010–11804330—16932202103rd, North
2011–2015Played as St. John's IceCaps
2015–16762641—45611802507th, Central
2016–17762937—55681972427th, Central
2017–18764226—44922531983rd, Central

Playoffs

SeasonPrelim1st round2nd round3rd roundFinals
1997—Did not qualify
1998—L, 0–3, Chicago———
1999—W, 2–0, MilwaukeeL, 0–3, Chicago——
2000—L, 0–2, Long Beach———
2001—W, 4–3, HoustonL, 2–4, Chicago—
2002W, 2–1, Worcester L, 1–3, Bridgeport———
2003W, 2–1, PortlandW, 3–1, ProvidenceL, 3–4, Hamilton——
2004Did not qualify
2005—W, 4–1, St. John'sW, 4–1, RochesterL, 0–4, Chicago—
2006—W, 4–2, SyracuseL, 3–4, Grand Rapids——
2007—W, 4–3, Grand RapidsL, 2–4, Hamilton——
2008—L, 2–4, Syracuse———
2009—W, 4–2, TorontoW, 4–0, Grand RapidsW, 4–2, HoustonL, 2–4, Hershey
2010—L, 2–4, Hamilton———
2011—W, 4–3, Lake ErieL, 3–4, Hamilton——
2011–2015Played as St. John's IceCaps
2016—Did not qualify
2017—Did not qualify
2018—W, 3–2, Grand RapidsL, 0–4, Rockford——

Players

Current roster

Updated October 12, 2018.[44]

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace Contract
35 Canada Ken Appleby G L 23 2018 North Bay, Ontario Moose
27 United States Mason Appleton C R 22 2017 Green Bay, Wisconsin Jets
47 Canada Charles-David Beaudoin D R 24 2017 Drummondville, Quebec Moose
33 Sweden Jacob Cederholm D R 20 2018 Helsingborg, Sweden Moose
1 Canada Eric Comrie G L 23 2015 Edmonton, Alberta Jets
18 Sweden Dennis Everberg RW L 26 2018 Vasteras, Sweden Jets
16 Canada Felix Girard C R 24 2018 Levis, Quebec Moose
45 Canada Luke Green D R 20 2018 Halifax, Nova Scotia Jets
39 Canada Seth Griffith C/RW L 25 2018 Wallaceburg, Ontario Jets
26 United States Jansen Harkins C L 21 2017 Cleveland, Ohio Jets
17 United States Nic Kerdiles LW L 24 2018 Lewisville, Texas Jets
49 Canada Kale Kessy LW L 25 2018 Shaunavon, Saskatchewan Moose
34 Canada JC Lipon (A) RW R 25 2015 Regina, Saskatchewan Jets
24 Canada Cam Maclise RW R 26 2017 Camrose, Alberta Moose
46 Canada Tye McGinn LW L 28 2018 Fergus, Ontario Moose
43 Canada Skyler McKenzie LW L 20 2018 Sherwood Park, Alberta Jets
8 Finland Sami Niku D L 22 2017 Haapavesi, Finland Jets
36 Canada Nelson Nogier D R 22 2016 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Jets
21 Canada Emile Poirier RW L 23 2018 Montreal, Quebec Moose
3 United States Tucker Poolman D R 25 2017 East Grand Forks, Minnesota Jets
10 Canada Joey Ratelle LW L 22 2018 Otterburn Park, Quebec Moose
22 Czech Republic Kristian Reichel C R 20 2018 Litvinov, Czech Republic Moose
5 United States Cameron Schilling (A) D L 30 2017 Carmel, Indiana Jets
23 Czech Republic Michael Spacek C R 21 2017 Marianske Lazne, Czech Republic Jets
7 Canada Logan Stanley D L 20 2018 Kitchener, Ontario Jets
42 Canada Peter Stoykewych (C) D L 26 2015 Winnipeg, Manitoba Moose
20 United States C.J. Suess LW L 24 2018 Forest Lake, Minnesota Jets

Team captains

Retired numbers

  • 12 – Mike Keane

Team records

Single season

Goals: 45 Scott Thomas (1998–99)
Assists: 81 Stephane Morin (1994–95)
Points: 114 Stephane Morin (1994–95)
Penalty minutes: 285 Wade Brookbank (2004–05)
Wins: 35 Cory Schneider (2009–10)
GAA: 2.04 Cory Schneider (2008–09)
SV%: .935 Michael Hutchinson (2017–18)

Career

Career goals: 157 Jason Jaffray
Career assists: 243 Jason Jaffray
Career points: 400 Jason Jaffray
Career penalty minutes: 1434 Jimmy Roy
Career goaltending wins: 84 Cory Schneider
Career shutouts: 12 Cory Schneider
Career games: 603 Jimmy Roy

Franchise scoring leaders

These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed AHL regular season.

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game

PlayerPosGPGAPtsP/G
Jason JaffrayLW4921572434000.81
Brett HauerD322581932510.78
Nolan BaumgartnerD451451692140.47
Jimmy RoyLW6031011112120.35
Stephane MorinF173631382011.16
Bill BowlerC187551341891.01
Brandon ReidC259701111810.70
Lee GorenRW19380911710.89
Scott ArnielF222671041710.77
Brian ChapmanD447241351580.35

Reference: Internet Hockey Database

Updated to 2014–15 inclusive.

Team coaches

IHL
AHL

Team general managers

  • Jean Perron, 1996–97 (fired 50 games into first season)
  • Randy Carlyle, 1997–2002 (became Washington Capitals assistant coach)
  • Craig Heisinger, 2002–present (held position with franchise in St. John's from 2011–2015)

See also

References

  1. 1 2 White, Chris (October 1, 2015). "Moose partner with TSN 1290 for radio and online broadcasts". MooseHockey.com.
  2. ↑ Wong, Craig (May 31, 2011). "Chipman's work to return NHL to Winnipeg began almost as soon as Jets left town". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Future of Manitoba Moose uncertain". May 31, 2011. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 Wiebe, Ken (May 31, 2011). "Winnipeg fans have Moose to thank". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  5. ↑ Turner, Randy (June 22, 2010). "Moose job prestigious gig in hockey circles". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
  6. ↑ Lawless, Gary (June 8, 2011). "Chevy solid selection as GM". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
  7. ↑ Campbell, Tim (April 3, 2009). "Captain Gilhen took one for team". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
  8. ↑ Lawless, Gary (June 1, 2011). "Way to go, Winnipeg! Perseverance pays". Retrieved June 17, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Just Plain Goofy". Winnipeg Free Press. April 4, 2007. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
  10. ↑ Bourgeois, Andrew (June 3, 2001). "IHL To Fold This Week and Merge To AHL". Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  11. 1 2 "Randy Caryle bio". Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  12. 1 2 Wiebe, Ken (December 26, 2004). "A year of change for the Moose". Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Moose advance to Calder Cup final with 3–1 victory over Aeros". Winnipeg Free Press. May 25, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  14. ↑ Campbell, Tim (June 10, 2009). "Hershey Bears take Calder Cup with 4–1 win over Moose". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Moose Head Coach Arniel Named AHL Coach of the Year". TSN.ca. April 7, 2009. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Scott Arniel named Blue Jackets head coach". TSN.ca. June 8, 2010. Archived from the original on June 10, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Manitoba Moose hire new coach". AHL.com. June 21, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  18. ↑ "Moose retire Keane's number 12". AHL.com. February 13, 2011. Archived from the original on February 16, 2011. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
  19. ↑ Lawless, Gary (February 12, 2011). "No hard feelings, says Keane". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
  20. ↑ "Bulldogs Eliminate Moose in Longest Game 7 in AHL History". TSN.ca. May 10, 2010. Archived from the original on May 13, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  21. ↑ "AHL Attendance Report 2010-11". AHL.com. May 31, 2011.
  22. ↑ "Winnipeg's new NHL team faces economic realities (AP)". MSN Money. May 31, 2011.
  23. ↑ "AHL statement on True North announcement". AHL.com. May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  24. ↑ "AHL returning to St. John's". ahl.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  25. ↑ Wiebe, Ken. "Mr". Winnipeg Sun. Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  26. ↑ "Pro hockey returning to St. John's". CBC News. June 10, 2011. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
  27. ↑ Short, Robin (November 14, 2014). "IceCaps put the brakes on losing skid". The Packet. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  28. ↑ Campbell, Tim (March 20, 2015). "AHL would give fans a look at Jets' future". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Texas Stars win first Calder Cup with OT victory". NHL.com. June 17, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  30. ↑ Chura, Peter (January 21, 2014). "True North has 'preliminary' plan for AHL team in Thunder Bay". Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Hamilton Bulldogs moving to St. John's, IceCaps to Winnipeg". CBC.ca. March 12, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  32. ↑ "True North relocates AHL franchise to Winnipeg". Winnipeg Jets. March 12, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  33. ↑ Roberts, Meghan (March 12, 2015). "Winnipeggers and local businesses welcome AHL team". CTV Winnipeg. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  34. 1 2 Campbell, Tim (May 4, 2015). "Welcome (back) to the Manitoba Moose". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  35. ↑ Campbell, Tim (May 9, 2015). "Of Moose and men". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  36. ↑ "Jets Elect Not to Renew Contract of Moose Coach Keith McCambridge". OurSports Central. April 22, 2016.
  37. ↑ Hobson, Russ (April 9, 2018). "Manitoba Moose Pascal Vincent voted AHL coach of the year". globalnews.ca. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  38. ↑ Johnston, Mike (May 4, 2015). "Manitoba Moose return to AHL with new look". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  39. ↑ Peterson, Christopher (May 21, 2007). "Logo Wars". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on January 8, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  40. ↑ Roylen, Rory (January 17, 2014). "Top 10 NHL Mascots". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  41. ↑ "Fan favourite Mick E. Moose drafted into the NHL ranks". Winnipeg Free Press. October 8, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  42. ↑ Roberts, Meghan (March 12, 2015). "Winnipeggers and local businesses welcome AHL team". CTV Winnipeg. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  43. ↑ "MTS Iceplex to undergo $7.5M expansion to make room for Jets and Moose". CBC.ca. August 31, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  44. ↑ "Manitoba Moose playing roster". American Hockey League. 2018-10-12. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
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