From the Archives: “Moving Moose”

The following THN Archive story by Patrick Cwiklinski takes a look at Manitoba’s move from Winnipeg to St. John’s following the Jets’ initial relocation to Manitoba. The Moose would, eventually, make their way back to Winnipeg.

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Moving Moose

July 1, 2011 – Vol. 65, Issue 01

By Patrick Cwiklinski

“After 10 seasons in central Canada, the Manitoba Moose are migrating east — way east.

On the heels of NHL hockey’s return to Winnipeg, the AHL board of governors announced the Moose will move to St. John’s, Newfoundland, and play as Winnipeg’s top affiliate.

Fortunately, the back country of Newfoundland is rife with Moose so the nickname is still applicable. There was no announcement on which team will replace the Moose as Vancouver’s affiliate, although the Chicago Wolves, Atlanta’s top farm team, offers a quick fix.

The Moose’s time in Manitoba was highlighted by a regular season title and final appearance in 2008-09. Alumni include Ryan Kesler, Alex Burrows and Kevin Bieksa and coach Alain Vigneault. Other current NHLers who had stops in Manitoba include Michael Grabner, James Neal, Johan Hedberg; coaches Randy Carlyle and Scott Arniel.

St. John’s will occupy the 6,250-seat Mile One Centre, which last had AHL hockey in 2005 when the St. John’s Maple Leafs left for Toronto to become the Marlies after 14 seasons on ‘The Rock.”