Manitoba Moose

Manitoba Moose
2016–17 AHL season
City Winnipeg, Manitoba
League American Hockey League
Conference Western
Division Central
Founded 1994 (In the IHL)
Home arena MTS Centre
Colours Polar Night Blue, Aviator Blue, Silver, White
                   
Owner(s) True North Sports & Entertainment
General manager Craig Heisinger
Head coach Pascal Vincent
Captain Patrice Cormier
Media TSN3
TSN Radio (1290 AM)[1]
Affiliates Winnipeg Jets (NHL)
Tulsa Oilers (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 that plays in the American Hockey League (AHL). The team plays its home games at the MTS Centre, 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)

After the departure of the original Winnipeg Jets franchise to Phoenix, Arizona in 1996, a group of local businessmen, including Mark Chipman, purchased the Minnesota Moose of the IHL. The team was relocated to Winnipeg in order 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 team, 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 the team did not 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] During their five seasons in the IHL, the Moose remained independent and did not affiliate with any NHL teams, although several did loan players to the Moose.[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 ten seasons. 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 in downtown Winnipeg. 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 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

Main article: 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 was able to negotiate a deal to relocate 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] However, 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]

Team information

Logos and uniforms

Logo from 2004-2011

The current Manitoba Moose uniforms are similar to those of their parent club, 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, which remained the team's colors until relocating to St. John's in 2011.

The original Minnesota Moose logo, consisting of a Moose holding a hockey stick, was carried over when the team moved to Winnipeg 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 the same logo upon their return to Winnipeg in 2015, albeit with an altered color scheme to match the new team colors.[37][38]

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. Since the return of the Manitoba Moose in 2015, he has doubled as mascot for both teams.[39] Aside from hockey games, Mick E. Moose makes approximately one hundred public appearances each year at various community events.[40]

Media

TSN Radio 1290 (CFRW) is the official radio and internet broadcast partner of the Manitoba Moose. All Moose games are broadcast online, while radio broadcasts are carried by CFRW when the Moose schedule does not conflict with Winnipeg Jets games, which are also broadcast by the station. Former CBC sportscaster Mitch Peacock serves as 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 the MTS Centre in Downtown Winnipeg, which they share with the Winnipeg Jets. Although the arena seats 15,294 for hockey, only the lower bowl, with a capacity of 8,812, is open for most Moose games. Most practices and training sessions are held at the MTS Iceplex.[41][42]

Prior to the opening of the MTS Centre in November 2004, the team played at the Winnipeg Arena.

Season-by-season results

Regular season

Season Games WonLostTiedOTLSOLPoints Goals
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
2001–02803933 4 4— 862702604th, Canadian
2002–03803733 8 2— 842292282nd, Canadian
2003–0480323511 2— 772142326th, North
2004–05804426— 7 3 982432103rd, North
2005–06804424— 7 51002432173rd, North
2006–07804523— 7 51022322011st, North
2007–08804627— 3 4992361973rd, North
2008–09805023— 1 61072301771st, League
2009–10804033— 5 2872042324th North
2010–11804330— 1 6 932202103rd, North
2011–2015Played as St. John's IceCaps
2015–16 76 26 41 — 4 5 61 180 250 7th, Central

Playoffs

SeasonPrelim1st round2nd round3rd roundFinals
1996–97 Out of playoffs.
1997–98—L, 0–3, Chicago ———
1998–99 W, 2–0, Milwaukee L, 0–3, Chicago ———
1999–2000 L, 0–2, Long Beach ————
2000–01 —W, 4–3, Houston L, 2–4, Chicago ——
2001–02 W, 2–1, Worcester L, 1–3, Bridgeport ———
2002–03 W, 2–1, Portland W, 3–1, Providence L, 3–4, Hamilton ——
2003–04 Out of playoffs.
2004–05 —W, 4–1, St. John's W, 4–1, Rochester L, 0–4, Chicago —
2005–06 —W, 4–2, Syracuse L, 3–4, Grand Rapids ——
2006–07 —W, 4–3, Grand Rapids L, 2–4, Hamilton ——
2007–08 —L, 2–4, Syracuse ———
2008–09 —W, 4–2, Toronto W, 4–0, Grand Rapids W, 4–2, Houston L, 2–4, Hershey
2009–10 —L, 2–4, Hamilton — — —
2010–11 —W, 4–3, Lake Erie L, 3–4, Hamilton — —
2011–2015Played as St. John's IceCaps
2015–16 Out of playoffs.

Players

Current roster

Updated October 16, 2016.[43]

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace Contract
6 Canada Baker, JakeJake Baker D L 25 2016 New Westminster, British Columbia Moose
23 Sweden Blomqvist, AxelAxel Blomqvist LW L 21 2015 Osby, Sweden Jets
1 Canada Comrie, EricEric Comrie G L 21 2015 Edmonton, Alberta Jets
18 United States Copp, AndrewAndrew Copp C L 22 2016 Ann Arbor, Michigan Jets
28 Canada Cormier, PatricePatrice Cormier (C) C L 26 2015 Moncton, New Brunswick Moose
27 Canada Czuczman, KevinKevin Czuczman D L 25 2016 Port Elgin, Ontario Moose
25 Austria Dano, MarkoMarko Dano C L 22 2016 Eisenstadt, Austria Jets
19 United States De Leo, ChaseChase De Leo C L 21 2015 La Mirada, California Jets
49 Canada Denham, BrandonBrandon Denham RW R 24 2016 Milton, Ontario Moose
15 Canada Glennie, ScottScott Glennie RW R 25 2016 Winnipeg, Manitoba Moose
29 Canada Hill, JordanJordan Hill D L 27 2016 Sarnia, Ontario Moose
21 Canada Howden, QuintonQuinton Howden C L 24 2016 Oakbank, Manitoba Jets
8 Canada Kichton, BrendenBrenden Kichton D L 24 2015 Spruce Grove, Alberta Jets
24 Canada Kosmachuk, ScottScott Kosmachuk RW R 22 2015 Toronto, Ontario Jets
3 Czech Republic Kostalek, JanJan Kostalek D R 21 2015 Prague, Czech Republic Jets
22 Canada Kramer, DarrenDarren Kramer C L 25 2015 Peace River, Alberta Moose
48 United States Lemieux, BrendanBrendan Lemieux LW L 20 2016 Denver, Colorado Jets
34 Canada Lipon, JCJC Lipon RW R 23 2015 Regina, Saskatchewan Jets
17 United States Lodge, JimmyJimmy Lodge RW R 21 2015 Downingtown, Pennsylvania Jets
44 Canada Melchiori, JulianJulian Melchiori (A) D L 25 2015 Richmond Hill, Ontario Jets
36 Canada Nogier, NelsonNelson Nogier D R 20 2016 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Jets
9 Canada Olsen, RyanRyan Olsen C R 22 2015 Delta, British Columbia Jets
31 Czech Republic Pavelec, OndrejOndrej Pavelec G L 29 2016 Kladno, Czechoslovakia Jets
14 Canada Peluso, AnthonyAnthony Peluso RW R 27 2016 North York, Ontario Jets
13 Canada Petan, NicNic Petan C L 21 2015 Delta, British Columbia Jets
50 United States Roslovic, JackJack Roslovic C R 19 2016 Columbus, Ohio Jets
42 Canada Stoykewych, PeterPeter Stoykewych D L 24 2015 Winnipeg, Manitoba Moose
47 United States Strait, BrianBrian Strait (A) D L 28 2016 Waltham, Massachusetts Jets

Team captains

Retired numbers

Team records

Single season

Goals: 45 United States Scott Thomas (1998–99)
Assists: 81 Canada Stephane Morin (1994–95)
Points: 114 Canada Stephane Morin (1994–95)
Penalty minutes: 285 Canada Wade Brookbank (2004–05)
Wins: 35 United States Cory Schneider (2009–10)
GAA: 2.04 United States Cory Schneider (2008–09)
SV%: .928 United States Cory Schneider (2008–09)

Career

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

Player Pos GP G A Pts P/G
Canada Jason Jaffray LW 492 157 243 400 0.81
United States Brett Hauer D 322 58 193 251 0.78
Canada Nolan Baumgartner D 451 45 169 214 0.47
Canada Jimmy Roy LW 603 101 111 212 0.35
Canada Stephane Morin F 173 63 138 201 1.16
Canada Bill Bowler C 187 55 134 189 1.01
Canada Brandon Reid C 259 70 111 181 0.70
Canada Lee Goren RW 193 80 91 171 0.89
Canada Scott Arniel F 222 67 104 171 0.77
Canada Brian Chapman D 447 24 135 158 0.35

Reference: Internet Hockey Database

Updated to 2014–15 inclusive.

Team coaches

IHL

AHL

Team general managers

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

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. 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. 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. ↑ Johnston, Mike (May 4, 2015). "Manitoba Moose return to AHL with new look". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  38. ↑ Peterson, Christopher (May 21, 2007). "Logo Wars". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  39. ↑ Roylen, Rory (January 17, 2014). "Top 10 NHL Mascots". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  40. ↑ "Fan favourite Mick E. Moose drafted into the NHL ranks". Winnipeg Free Press. October 8, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  41. ↑ Roberts, Meghan (March 12, 2015). "Winnipeggers and local businesses welcome AHL team". CTV Winnipeg. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  42. ↑ "MTS Iceplex to undergo $7.5M expansion to make room for Jets and Moose". CBC.ca. August 31, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  43. ↑ "Manitoba Moose playing roster". American Hockey League. 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2016-03-09.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/3/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.