Fast Facts: Moose vs. Calgary – Oct. 13

After a summer of preparation and a month of various training camps, it's finally time to drop the puck on the 2023-24 AHL Regular Season. The Manitoba Moose kick things off against the Calgary Wranglers tonight at Canada Life Centre (7 p.m. CT). It's the first of eight meetings between the Western Canadian rivals this season after the teams split their four matchups in 2022-23.

Tonight's Home Opener, presented by Canada Life, features a flag giveaway for the first 3,000 fans through the doors. Make sure to arrive and be in your seats early to welcome the 2023-24 edition of the Moose to the ice. Tickets for tonight's game are available at MooseHockey.com/TICKETS.

If you can't make the game, listen in on 680 CJOB, MooseHockey.com/LISTENLIVE or the Winnipeg Jets App beginning with an extended pre-game show at 6:30. Or tune in on this weekend's AHLTV Freeview.

Hey, I Recognize You!

The 2023-24 edition of the Moose features plenty of familiar faces. Manitoba has the pleasure of returning 15 players from the 2022-23 roster. Jeff Malott, who leads the Moose with 19 total power play goals the past two seasons, returns up front. Kristian Reichel, Wyatt Bongiovanni and Nicholas Jones also remain on the squad for another season in antlers. The blue line is anchored by Winnipeg Jets draft picks Simon Lundmark and Tyrel Bauer. In addition, reigning Moose Rookie of the Year, Dean Stewart, returns for another campaign with the team. The organization is bolstered by returning experienced players including captain Jimmy Oligny, fellow defenceman Ashton Sautner and forwards Dominic Toninato and C.J. Suess.

Going Global

The current iteration of the Moose roster features a unique melting post of talent from all across the globe. A total of seven countries are represented by the antlered ones on opening. Canadians are the largest contingent with 11 players hailing from across the country. The U.S.A is well represented by six players, including three from Minnesota. Scandinavian countries Finland and Sweden each feature three players along with Russia. A pair of players call Czechia home and Dmitry Kuzmin represents Belarus.

Draft Day

This season’s Moose squad highlights 10 players selected by the Winnipeg Jets at the NHL Draft. Two of those players were picked in the first round, three in the second round, two in the third round, one in the fourth round, one in the fifth round and one in the sixth round. Out of the Winnipeg picks on the roster, Chaz Lucius, Brad Lambert, Daniel Torgersson, Henri Nikkanen, C.J. Suess, Simon Lundmark and Tyrel Bauer all have AHL experience to call upon and combine for a grand total of 549 games and 190 points.

Big League Experience

Manitoba possess a roster with 10 players who have spent time in the NHL. The defence is led by Kyle Capobianco, who has 73 games in his career. Ashton Sautner has played 23 games, while Artemi Kniazev has one. The forward ranks are paced by Dominic Toninato, who has appeared in 169 contests split between Colorado, Florida and Winnipeg. Axel Jonsson-Fjallby is second with 73 between Washington and Winnipeg, while Jeffrey Viel is third with 49 games. Kristian Reichel ranks fourth with 15, C.J. Suess has played in five and Jeff Malott has one game to his credit. Between the pipes, Collin Delia brings 52 games between Chicago and Vancouver. Those 10 skaters bring a combined total of 461 games of NHL experience to the current Moose roster.

Who's Trending?

Jeff Malott ended the 2022-23 campaign with a career-high 44 points (23G, 21A) in 71 contests. The forward was second on the Moose in goals and finished the season fourth in points.  The Waterdown, Ont. product has also paced the Moose with 19 power play goals over the past two seasons. Malott has 105 career points (60G, 45A) in 167 AHL games.