After two seasons as part of the Jets/Moose organization goalie Evan Cormier is taking his goalie equipment to Charlotte where he has signed a one-year deal to play for the Checkers in the AHL.
Cormier joined the Moose organization during the 2021-22 season where he got into 14 games going 8-3-3. Had he not gotten injured before the playoffs that season he may have played some post-season games for Manitoba when Mikhail Berdin stumbled.
Photo Credit: Jonathan Kozub/Manitoba Moose
Last season he played just two regular season games for the Moose, spending most of his time with the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL. He had an opportunity in the playoffs as the Jets had both Moose goalies (Holm & Salminen) with them in Vegas for their playoff series against the Golden Knights, which allowed for Cormier to start game 1 against the Admirals. However he was pulled after giving up three goals on seven shots. He did get himself an NHL contract with the Jets in March to give the organization some flexibility if they needed a third goalie up with the big club.
The Checkers announced the signing yesterday.
The goalie position is pretty full in the Winnipeg organization when you consider Connor Hellebuyck/Laurent Brossoit at the NHL level, Oskari Salminen/Collin Delia in the AHL and with recent Jets draft pick Thomas Milic (2023 5th rounder) likely to earn a look in the AHL but also likely to be starting in the ECHL.
