The Manitoba Moose should have a distinctly different look this American Hockey League season.
For the fourth time in as many seasons, the Moose feature a new head coach.
Scott Arniel replaces Alain Vigneault, who took over the parent Vancouver Canucks after leading the Moose to only its second 100-point season in 10 seasons in Winnipeg, this despite a rash of injuries to key personnel and numerous call-ups.
Arniel needs little introduction, as his playing days in both the NHL and the minors were solid and his coaching resume is impressive, including spending the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the Buffalo Sabres.
Solid core
New assistant coach Brad Berry has a strong pedigree of his own, both as an NHL defenceman and an assistant coach with the highly respected University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux hockey program.
There will be a solid core of returning players and several promising rookies.
And as is the case most years, there will be some pleasant surprises and likely some other disappointments.
Arniel, general manager Craig Heisinger and governor Mark Chipman are all on record as saying this should be the most competitive training camp in the history of the franchise.
So with a new three-year affiliation agreement with the Canucks in their back pocket, the Moose hit the ice in great spirits.
Without further adieu, let’s take a look at five key questions the Moose will look to answer before opening up their sixth AHL season on Oct. 4 against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins:
1) Who will be in net? This is easily the biggest question mark going into camp and it’s not from a lack of quality candidates. Drew MacIntyre has been an excellent depth guy in the Detroit Red Wings system and while he’s been aching for the opportunity, he’s never been a starter at this level. Sebastien Centomo did a nice job filling in during his 12-game stint a season ago and does have past experience as a starter in this league with the St. John’s Maple Leafs. Mike Ayers put up solid numbers as the No. 3 guy on the depth chart with the Syracuse Crunch last season and Bryan Bridges was a solid netminder in the Western Hockey League with the Seattle Thunderbirds. Julien Ellis-Plante gave up two goals on 15 shots against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday and should enter the mix, but he got off to a bad start with poor fitness testing so he’ll have to bring his A-game to avoid starting the season in the ECHL. The status of 2005-06 MVP Wade Flaherty remains unclear and, as Flaherty himself found out last season, things can change in a hurry. Flaherty was supposed to start the season sharing the net in Manitoba with Brent Johnson last year but ended up appearing in 49 games and putting up MVP numbers. The Canucks must decide if they’re keeping Flaherty as a backup to Roberto Luongo or pursuing another experienced goalie, and that could ultimately have an impact on what the Moose do.
2) Who will fill the net? With a quick glance at the initial training camp roster (not including those still remaining in Canucks camp), there seems to be plenty of potential to provide offence but it must be noted that the Moose need to replace at least two top end wingers in Jozef Balej and Jason King, who combined for 34 goals and 62 points despite being limited to 39 and 36 games respectively. Both Balej and King have signed to play in Europe this season. Only Jason Jaffray, who was third in points with 12 goals and 47 points in 73 games, begins camp from those who finished last season in the top-11 of team scoring. Justin Mapletoft spent last year in Europe but is a proven producer at this level. Tyler Beechey and David Masse each provided double-digits in goals in the AHL last season and a strong camp should keep them in the mix for full-time duty.
3) Who will be the impact rookie? Although he remains with the parent club, Danish forward Jannik Hansen could be the guy filling this role. Hansen, the Canucks ninth round pick (287th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, looks like a sleeper after scoring 24 goals and 64 points in 64 games with the Portland Winter Hawks last season. He added seven goals and 13 points in 12 WHL playoff games and capped the campaign by suiting up for Denmark at the IIHF World Hockey Championship in Belarus. Swedish defenceman Alexander Edler is another candidate, the Canucks’ 91st pick overall in the 2004 draft. He has decided not to return to the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, where he had 13 goals and 53 points in 62 games.
4) Who will be the biggest surprise? A year ago, it was Nathan McIver, who went from bruising defenceman fighting for playing time to a solid force in the rotation and a key member of the penalty- killing unit, and Maxime Fortunus, who fortified his place as a full-time AHLer for the first time in his career. A year earlier, Kevin Bieksa went from little-known collegiate player to a member of the AHL All-Rookie team. Two seasons later, Bieksa is on a one-way contract and looks like a full-time NHLer. Patrick Coulombe, who joined the Moose on a Pro Tryout Offer at the end of last season but didn’t see any action, is an early favourite because he’s having such a strong camp in Vancouver.
5) How does the back end shape up? There seems to be more depth at this position and that depth should stretch all the way down to the ECHL-level. Players won’t just be trying to crack the top 7, there should be plenty of jockeying for position as to who might be the first or second call-ups. Veteran newcomer Joe Rullier gives the Moose a physical presence similar to what Joe DiPenta provided two seasons ago before joining the Anaheim Ducks. Dustin Wood, who the Moose pursued at the trading deadline last season, could also work his way into the mix. There looks to be a nice mix of grit and skill.
