Manitoba Moose Update: Part One & Two
Apr 1, 2024 11:39:23 GMT -6
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Post by bigoljetairliner on Apr 1, 2024 11:39:23 GMT -6
Just finished writing an article updating how the Manitoba Moose are doing on Arctic Ice Hockey. It ended up running a bit long, so the first section looks at how the Moose have done as a team in 2023-24 before diving into a look at the individual goaltenders and defensemen.
Am in the process of completing the review of Manitoba's forwards and some final conclusions, which should get posted sometime between now & 4 pm tomorrow (depending on motivation).
Here is the link to the entire article:
PART ONE:
www.arcticicehockey.com/manitoba-moose-update-part-one/
For those of you only interested in the key points about Winnipeg's defense & goalie prospects on Manitoba, here is what I said about a handful of them:
Up next is Ville Heinola, who has had to overcome a severe injury during a very good training camp with Winnipeg. The 23 yr old Finn ended up missing a large chunk of the year as a result and has been slow to return to his previous form. To date, Ville is on pace for his worst season production-wise, with 17 pts in 32 games for a .521 point percentage after his first 3 years ranging steadily up from .578% to .771%. To my non-expert eyes, Heinola’s skating has improved greatly over the season and I find him jumping into offensive rushes more & more recently, so I think he is getting back to his full capabilities. Another positive thing is that Ville has set a career-high in goals with 6, riding a much improved shooting percentage (8.6%, up from 3.4% & 4.4% the past two seasons).
Thomas Milic was drafted by the Jets in the 5th round, but since they didn’t offer him a contract, the 20 year old goalie had to settle with a contract with the Manitoba Moose. Initially buried in the depth chart, Milic began the year with the Admirals in the ECHL and he did what he has done at every level he has played….put up good numbers & won games (11-3-2/2.45 GAA/.908%/2 SO). The Canadian’s strong play got the management’s attention and he was boosted up to the AHL to see what he could do. Well, it is no coincidence that Manitoba’s resurgence started about the same time, as Milic has gone 14-7-2 with a 2.59 GAA & .902 save percentage in a Moose jersey. At 6′ tall, the Jets’ prospect is consider under-sized by NHL standards, however we are starting to see more & more smaller tenders in recent years (Nashville’s Saros, Calgary’s Wolf, Buffalo’s Levi to name a few). We can only hope that Thomas keeps proving all his doubters wrong and eventually works his way up to the big club.
Simon Lundmark is in his 3rd season with the Moose, putting up point totals of 14 (.246 pt %), 17 (.265 pt %), & 14 (.242 pt %). The 23 yr old reminds me a lot of Dylan DeMelo and is routinely paired with Heinola, so Lundmark faces the best of what the AHL can offer and typically the 6’2″ defender can hold his own.
A 6th round selection in 2020, the 6’2″ Tyrel Bauer provides the Manitoba Moose with a needed level of physicality. Whether it is through thunderous bodychecks or rapid-fire punches, the right hand defender often brings the fans to their feet. While I am not a huge fan of fighting in hockey, as long as it is a part of my favourite game I would rather my team win the scraps & gain any potential momentum. Bauer certainly helps Manitoba do that and it is nice to see him picking his spots better in his sophomore campaign. Ty picked up 103 PIM’s in 47 games during his rookie season, but this year that has dropped to 77 PIM’s over 52 contests. While he has time to get the needed 2 points to match his career-best of 7, offense will never really be a big part of Bauer’s game.
Will post a link to Part Two when its completed....enjoy the day
Just posted Part Two, if you're interested. Includes a look at the forwards and my attempt to compare the Moose prospects to current/former Winnipeg Jets to show their potential ceilings. Enjoy.
PART TWO:
www.arcticicehockey.com/manitoba-moose-update-part-two/
Am in the process of completing the review of Manitoba's forwards and some final conclusions, which should get posted sometime between now & 4 pm tomorrow (depending on motivation).
Here is the link to the entire article:
PART ONE:
www.arcticicehockey.com/manitoba-moose-update-part-one/
For those of you only interested in the key points about Winnipeg's defense & goalie prospects on Manitoba, here is what I said about a handful of them:
Up next is Ville Heinola, who has had to overcome a severe injury during a very good training camp with Winnipeg. The 23 yr old Finn ended up missing a large chunk of the year as a result and has been slow to return to his previous form. To date, Ville is on pace for his worst season production-wise, with 17 pts in 32 games for a .521 point percentage after his first 3 years ranging steadily up from .578% to .771%. To my non-expert eyes, Heinola’s skating has improved greatly over the season and I find him jumping into offensive rushes more & more recently, so I think he is getting back to his full capabilities. Another positive thing is that Ville has set a career-high in goals with 6, riding a much improved shooting percentage (8.6%, up from 3.4% & 4.4% the past two seasons).
Thomas Milic was drafted by the Jets in the 5th round, but since they didn’t offer him a contract, the 20 year old goalie had to settle with a contract with the Manitoba Moose. Initially buried in the depth chart, Milic began the year with the Admirals in the ECHL and he did what he has done at every level he has played….put up good numbers & won games (11-3-2/2.45 GAA/.908%/2 SO). The Canadian’s strong play got the management’s attention and he was boosted up to the AHL to see what he could do. Well, it is no coincidence that Manitoba’s resurgence started about the same time, as Milic has gone 14-7-2 with a 2.59 GAA & .902 save percentage in a Moose jersey. At 6′ tall, the Jets’ prospect is consider under-sized by NHL standards, however we are starting to see more & more smaller tenders in recent years (Nashville’s Saros, Calgary’s Wolf, Buffalo’s Levi to name a few). We can only hope that Thomas keeps proving all his doubters wrong and eventually works his way up to the big club.
Simon Lundmark is in his 3rd season with the Moose, putting up point totals of 14 (.246 pt %), 17 (.265 pt %), & 14 (.242 pt %). The 23 yr old reminds me a lot of Dylan DeMelo and is routinely paired with Heinola, so Lundmark faces the best of what the AHL can offer and typically the 6’2″ defender can hold his own.
A 6th round selection in 2020, the 6’2″ Tyrel Bauer provides the Manitoba Moose with a needed level of physicality. Whether it is through thunderous bodychecks or rapid-fire punches, the right hand defender often brings the fans to their feet. While I am not a huge fan of fighting in hockey, as long as it is a part of my favourite game I would rather my team win the scraps & gain any potential momentum. Bauer certainly helps Manitoba do that and it is nice to see him picking his spots better in his sophomore campaign. Ty picked up 103 PIM’s in 47 games during his rookie season, but this year that has dropped to 77 PIM’s over 52 contests. While he has time to get the needed 2 points to match his career-best of 7, offense will never really be a big part of Bauer’s game.
Will post a link to Part Two when its completed....enjoy the day
Just posted Part Two, if you're interested. Includes a look at the forwards and my attempt to compare the Moose prospects to current/former Winnipeg Jets to show their potential ceilings. Enjoy.
PART TWO:
www.arcticicehockey.com/manitoba-moose-update-part-two/
