From the Archives: “Moving Moose”

The following THN Archive story by Patrick Cwiklinski looks at Manitoba’s move from Winnipeg to St. John’s after the Jets’ initial move to Manitoba. The Moose would eventually return to Winnipeg.

View the original article to view the embedded media.

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Moving moose

July 1, 2011 – Vol. 65, Number 01

By Patrick Cwiklinski

“After 10 seasons in central Canada, the Manitoba moose migrate east—far east.

Immediately following the return of NHL hockey to Winnipeg, the AHL governing body announced that the Moose would relocate to St. John’s, Newfoundland, and become Winnipeg’s primary affiliate.

Fortunately, Newfoundland’s backcountry is crawling with Moose, so the nickname still applies. There’s no word yet on which team will replace the Moose as Vancouver’s affiliate, though the Chicago Wolves, Atlanta’s best farm team, offer a quick solution.

The Moose’s time in Manitoba was marked by a regular season title and a final appearance in 2008-09. Alumni include Ryan Kesler, Alex Burrows and Kevin Bieksa; and coach Alain Vigneault. Other current NHLers who served 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 played host to AHL hockey in 2005 when the St. John’s Maple Leafs moved to Toronto to become the Marlies after 14 seasons on ‘The Rock.’