The Manitoba Moose got their 2026 training camp underway this morning at hockey for all centre, and the roster is already packed with bodies fighting for attention. There are 22 players in camp to start - two goalies, seven defencemen and 13 forwards - and the club said 14 of them are there on tryout agreements.
The timing makes this camp a little different than usual. With changes to the NHL’s pre-season, AHL teams are working on a shifted schedule ahead of the regular season opener Friday, Oct.
- Manitoba begins its own season on Saturday, Oct. 3, which leaves the Moose with just three practice days before they head to St.
Paul, Minn. for exhibition games against the Iowa Wild on Friday and Saturday.
That compressed window puts a premium on every rep, every shift and every first impression.
“I think you get to know everybody. Obviously we’re coming together as a team for Friday/Saturday,” said forward Mikey Milne after Manitoba’s first skate.
“At the end of the day, everyone is competing for a spot. I know that’s my mindset.
Teammates off the ice, but as soon as you’re on the ice, it’s all compete and trying to make the team.
Milne arrives in Winnipeg after a summer signing with the Moose and brings plenty of AHL mileage with him. The Abbotsford, B.C. winger spent most of his first four seasons in the league with the Iowa Wild, piling up 196 games and 66 points, including 32 goals and 34 assists. He’s also back in a place that should feel familiar; most of his WHL days were spent in Manitoba with the Winnipeg ICE.
Another fresh face in the organization is forward Deni Goure, who has built a strong ECHL track record and now gets his shot in Moose colours. The 23-year-old has 104 points in 135 games, with 43 goals and 61 assists, and his only three AHL appearances to date all came against Manitoba. That odd little footnote makes this week’s camp and exhibition schedule a bit more personal.
For Goure, the appeal is simple: games tell the story better than practices.
“You get to actually show what you’re made of in a game instead of just practices,” Goure explained. “I feel like there are a lot of guys that don’t get to show all their capabilities in practice, whereas in a game they get to all play their game and show the coaches what they’re really about.”
Camp has also doubled as a reunion for Goure, who is back alongside former Owen Sound Attack teammate Sam Sedley. Sedley was with the Jets at the Rookie Showcase in Gatineau and is now skating with the Moose on a tryout agreement. Goure, Sedley and Winnipeg Jets 2023 first round pick Colby Barlow were once a productive OHL trio, though Barlow has been tied up with Jets camp so far.
“(Barlow)’s been pretty busy with the Jets so far, so I don’t want to bug him too much,” said Goure. “It’s pretty cool that Sam Sedley is here at Manitoba camp as well so I’ve been out to dinner with him a couple times. It’s pretty cool.”
The Moose are back on the ice Tuesday and Wednesday at hockey for all centre, with both sessions set for 10:30 a.m. and open to the public.
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