Manitoba Moose

Just wanting some feedback on what people think of the release of team captain Brian Chapman and defenceman Justin Kurtz going to play in Germany and the signing of Dallas Eakins.
cujo3167

They're getting some good young players, it shouldn't hurt them.

The Moose will win the Calder Cup in '04. The only thing left is arranging the parade route.

Chapman who? Kurtz who?
The nux will send you - Ryan Kesler, R Umberger, Brandon Nolan and top dman Kiril Kolsov, That will be the top scoring line in the AHL this year, guaranteed. Kiril Kolsov was the #3 rated d-man in his draft year - behind - Bowmeester.........

The Moose will win the Calder Cup in '04. The only thing left is arranging the parade route.

Chapman who? Kurtz who?
The nux will send you - Ryan Kesler, R Umberger, Brandon Nolan and top dman Kiril Kolsov, That will be the top scoring line in the AHL this year, guaranteed. Kiril Kolsov was the #3 rated d-man in his draft year - behind - Bowmeester.........


Dont forget Junior scorer Jesse Schultz.....

Chris Neilson will also be there for the full season.

However,

Tyler Moss is probobly gone (Auld will start the whole year)
Reid may not be there.. this is only a 'maybe', but it's possible Reid will play in the AHL next season.
Umberger is not yet signed, so he's no guarentee to be there.
Lukas Mensator will more than likely be Auld's backup next year.

Just wanting some feedback on what people think of the release of team captain Brian Chapman and defenceman Justin Kurtz going to play in Germany and the signing of Dallas Eakins.
cujo3167
Big deal, I don't think they were that great anyways. These teams should comprize of up and coming, not down and out!!! :lol:

Big deal, I don't think they were that great anyways. These teams should comprize of up and coming, not down and out!!! :lol:

Yes.. their captain is completely worthless. Just like on any pro hockey team you need some veteran leadership to guide the hotshots in the right direction

Sure the Moose just got into the playoffs last year by a hair, but this year they should to very well. They are going to be younger and better so it will be a interesting year for the Moose.

I hope to hell they do well! (oops, i rhymed) But i've been following the moose every sice they cme to winnipeg, and i'd love to see them win a championshiop...i woudn't guarentee n e thign but i'd like to think they'll improve on they're last year

I hope to hell they do well! (oops, i rhymed) But i've been following the moose every sice they cme to winnipeg, and i'd love to see them win a championshiop...i woudn't guarentee n e thign but i'd like to think they'll improve on they're last year Speaking of Winnipeg, I just rememberd that hot stove segment from the playoffs, and they where talking about bringing the Jets back since they have a new building with suites and everything! I think Ron Mclean was saying if the Pens don't get a new building they might consider moving the team to Winnipeg! Does anyone think this is possible? It would be nice to see the Jets again!

If the new CBA makes the Canadian teams more on par with American teams then Winnipeg could support a team better than Pittsburgh. If the new CBA doesn't help the Canadian teams then no way

Quick note: Canucks are sending down lots of prospects as the Waiver draft approaches. Since my post there, Mensator has been reassigned to the Ottawa 67's of the OHL, but Tyler Moss will be backing up Auld all year. That's about as strong as a tandem as I can think of in the AHL.

Brandon Reid doubtfully will make the big club. Kesler, Koltsov, Mojzis, Smith, Neilson, Auld, King, Fedorov, and a number of others will all be joining the Moose - some new additions, some familiar faces. Though the losses of Chapman and Kurtz will hurt, I cant think of an AHL team out there with possible regards to Chicago & Houston that is clearly better than the Moose will be next year!

I really like the Moose's chances this season. Some great young talent up front, and the leadership shouldn't be too much of a problem with a vet like Jimmy Roy coming back. Defense gets me nervous, but otherwise the club should be a contender.

Speaking of Winnipeg, I just rememberd that hot stove segment from the playoffs, and they where talking about bringing the Jets back since they have a new building with suites and everything! I think Ron Mclean was saying if the Pens don't get a new building they might consider moving the team to Winnipeg! Does anyone think this is possible? It would be nice to see the Jets again!
The dollar difference is still the issue in Canada.

Speaking of Winnipeg, I just rememberd that hot stove segment from the playoffs, and they where talking about bringing the Jets back since they have a new building with suites and everything! I think Ron Mclean was saying if the Pens don't get a new building they might consider moving the team to Winnipeg! Does anyone think this is possible? It would be nice to see the Jets again!
The new WHA wants to put the jets back in winnipeg....i can't find the article but i seem to recall Bobby Hull saying that it was a city that he really wanted to put a team into. Also regarding an original wha team.........a wha exec was in quebec city september 23rd to speak to potential owners and people representing the city....i do have a link for that one.
http://www.worldhockeyassociation.net/press_releases/press.asp?PressID=50

3-7-2-1 for 9 points

and a 10th place spot

Is NOT a calder cup contender...they are too young!

Its early yet. The addition of Pronger should help, and they've really missed Eakins on the blueline, since the defense is terribly young. They'll come together at some point, and with the talent they have they could still contend.

The new WHA wants to put the jets back in winnipeg....i can't find the article but i seem to recall Bobby Hull saying that it was a city that he really wanted to put a team into. Also regarding an original wha team.........a wha exec was in quebec city september 23rd to speak to potential owners and people representing the city....i do have a link for that one.
http://www.worldhockeyassociation.net/press_releases/press.asp?PressID=50
Do you know what the capacity is gonna be for the New Building? Is it called the true North Centre?

Do you know what the capacity is gonna be for the New Building? Is it called the true North Centre?
I Think it's going to be called the True North Centre (cap 15,005) for hockey.

I wonder if that would be big enough to house another NHL team? I hope the Jets will return one day!

I wonder if that would be big enough to house another NHL team? I hope the Jets will return one day!
Your dreaming!@

i live in winnipeg, and most habitants here realize the NHL will not come back for at least another 20 years. its possible the NHL may return, but not unless the financial structure of the league changes quite drastically.

further, i would much rather have a WHA team or a junior team instead of the Moose. Quite honestly, I'm not too thrilled watching hasbeens or wannabes from the AHL. Also, I prefer exciting hockey and I would believe that exists in juniors and will be a trademark of the new WHA.

true north center should revitalize downtown winnipeg though. building an arena there was a very good idea.

i live in winnipeg, and most habitants here realize the NHL will not come back for at least another 20 years. its possible the NHL may return, but not unless the financial structure of the league changes quite drastically.

further, i would much rather have a WHA team or a junior team instead of the Moose. Quite honestly, I'm not too thrilled watching hasbeens or wannabes from the AHL. Also, I prefer exciting hockey and I would believe that exists in juniors and will be a trademark of the new WHA.

true north center should revitalize downtown winnipeg though. building an arena there was a very good idea.
Absolutely!!! I would much rather have a WHL team. At least the players stay around for a few years and the fans can get to know them. It's also very exciting hockey to watch.

i live in winnipeg, and most habitants here realize the NHL will not come back for at least another 20 years. its possible the NHL may return, but not unless the financial structure of the league changes quite drastically.

further, i would much rather have a WHA team or a junior team instead of the Moose. Quite honestly, I'm not too thrilled watching hasbeens or wannabes from the AHL. Also, I prefer exciting hockey and I would believe that exists in juniors and will be a trademark of the new WHA.

true north center should revitalize downtown winnipeg though. building an arena there was a very good idea.


Jericholic, I think you have struck a nerve.

I have talked to many people about this subject. With the exception of maybe one or two people who consider AHL hockey "entertaining and the best Winnipeg can do", the vast majority think we deserve better than the AHL.

Many, including myself have come out and flatly stated that if the Moose left tomorrow, they would not care. They want to see WHL hockey in the peg'. It may actually help the city land a team that people care about.


Chipman has his heart in the right place. However, he should realize what the silent majority of Winnipeggers want. Either NHL or Junior hockey. Not the farm team of the Canucks!

I love the WHL, but the AHL is simply better hockey. I've spoken to plenty of people here as well, and I've heard a lot of the "eh, the AHL sucks, blahblahblah" stuff. Then I ask them when the last time they went to a Moose game was. Invariably they reply "not for a while, years ago...". Well, that was the IHL, and this is a far better league, a far better product, then the IHL was. I'd be the first person in line for NHL season tickets if it returned, and I'd be the first in line for WHL tickets if we got a team. However, the AHL and the Moose do provide great hockey and great entertainment. I find that most detractors simply haven't given the team a chance.

Typical "grass is always greener" stuff. I don't think the support for a WHL team would be near as strong as you guys do.

I found the calibre of AHL hockey ok, but the atmosphere is incredibly dull. I never said the calibre was better in the WHL, it is just more exciting and entertaining to watch junior hockey.

As for the AHL having better calibre play than IHL?? Not true. The Moose were more competetive in the IHL. They were independant. If the Moose were on a roll, they were not in immediate danger of being called up by the NHL parent club.

You claim that the WHL would not nearly receive as much support as people think is not true. Were you even here for the 1999 World Juniors? The city went nuts. Just look at Halifax. A city that couldn't draw 4 000 fans to the AHL. When they got a QMJHL team, they nearly sellout every game!

I found the calibre of AHL hockey ok, but the atmosphere is incredibly dull. I never said the calibre was better in the WHL, it is just more exciting and entertaining to watch junior hockey.

As for the AHL having better calibre play than IHL?? Not true. The Moose were more competetive in the IHL. They were independant. If the Moose were on a roll, they were not in immediate danger of being called up by the NHL parent club.

You claim that the WHL would not nearly receive as much support as people think is not true. Were you even here for the 1999 World Juniors? The city went nuts. Just look at Halifax. A city that couldn't draw 4 000 fans to the AHL. When they got a QMJHL team, they nearly sellout every game!

True, the atmosphere is incredibly dull. Whenever you put 6 thousand people in an OLD, UGLY arena (though I love her still) that holds 16, its going to be a drab affair. Thats not the fault of the Moose, though. They have the new arena coming, and the atmosphere will undoubtedly be better. Hell, the atmosphere for Jets regular season games was crap as well.

I maintain that the AHL is of higher caliber than the IHL. Better players, younger players, faster players. Yes, the odd guy gets called up to the Canucks, but how often has that happened this season? Federov a few times, but not for long. Kesler. Auld. Thats just about it. The Moose haven't lost many guys to the Canucks this year, and it hasn't had an effect on the caliber of play.

And yes, I was here for the World Juniors. I was at 5 of the games. I had an absolute blast, and I can't wait for the tournament to return. Of course the city went bonkers, it was the WORLD JUNIORS! We're talking about the WHL, not the very best junior players on the planet. You cannot take the enthusiasm we had for the World Junior Championships and predict that the enthusiasm would be the same for game 34 of a WHL team's season. Its like comparing the enthusiasm for the Olympics to the excitement of a Jets-Sharks game. Theres simply no comparison...none.

Would a WHL team fair any better in the Winnipeg Arena than the Moose have? Not at all, imo. There is nothing that I've seen to suggest they would. I'd be there, but I don't know that many others would. The atmosphere would still blow. Would they fair better in the new arena than the Moose will? No way we can know at this point, but again, I haven't seen anything to suggest they would.

I'd love to see a WHL team in Winnipeg. I'd definitely support it. However, we have better hockey in the city right now. I don't know what the situation is like in Halifax. The size of the arena...their current attendance levels...whether they're playing in the same arena as the AHL team did. Perhaps if we had another venue here, something along the same lines as the Keystone Center in Brandon, then I could see a WHL team be more successful than the Moose. However, right now I just dont think the Winnipeg hockey fan will support much of anything that isn't the NHL. The Moose is the next best alternative. If they can't make it, I wouldn't have much hope for a WHL team...unless, as I said, they have a more suitable venue.

Kenabnrmal, you seem to be like many Winnipegers- content with mediocrity. I ask why it must be like this? Most Winnipeggers who support the AHL (not many of them) hold onto this notion that it is the best we will ever do, and we are a second rate city.

I have talked about this to my work buddies, friends outside work, family, aquaintaces, etc. The consensus seems to be this:

- Winnipeg can land a NHL team again if the CBA fails and the 2004-05 season gets cancelled.

-If the NHL came back, all games would be soldout, period. We averaged 13 000 plus most seasons with lousy teams, and a lousy arena. Plus absence of the NHL made the heart grow fonder for an NHL teeam. Just look at Minnesota and Colorado.

-Most Winnipeggers don't care for the Moose. They are the 3rd most popular franchise in the city behind the Blue Bombers (football) and Goldeyes (baseball). The reason is the city has accepted we will not get better teams in better leagues. We will not accept this with hockey.

-Most Winnipeggers would rather have a WHL team than an AHL team. True, the calibre of play in the AHL is better. But what would you rather support- first rate junior players or second rate NHL castaways?

i have to concur with jets4life. recently, i have attended an NHL game (in Denver), AHL game (Moose), and the WHL v. Russia challenge in Brandon. The games at the Pepsi Center were a blast and I believe this enthusiasm was greatly fostered by the new arena's technological advances (ie. better speakers, better view for everyone to watch the game, etc...). Hence, there's no doubt Winnipeg's new arena will liven up Moose games quite a bit. However, I find it much easier to identify with WHL players simply because there is more coverage of the CHL (largely due to the impact of the World Juniors in stimulating interest in these youngsters) than of the AHL. I don't care about the AHL players largely because no one else does. Above all, however, the WHL is a more exciting league. You are certain of watching many soon to be elite NHLers and the dub already has a reputation of being a very tough league to survive in (physically of course). Although the quality of play isn't quite is high in the AHL, the WHL (at least to my knowledge) provides higher scoring and hard hitting games. So, I would much rather have a CHL team in Winnipeg.