As the Manitoba Moose season wraps up with just two games remaining on its calendar, Jets prospect Fabian Wagner reflected this afternoon on his first professional season in Manitoba.
“I feel so much more comfortable now,” said Wagner. “It’s not just being comfortable on the ice, it’s off the ice too.”
After he began his 2024-25 season in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), playing 16 games with Linköping HC, the 20-year-old who was drafted by Winnipeg in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, made his way over to Manitoba to play for the Jets’ AHL club.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Not terribly surprising given the enormity of moving continents at 20 years of age, Wagner initially struggled with the challenges of moving to a different continent and playing on North American ice for the first time.
“It’s a big difference from here and Sweden with the smaller ice here,” he said. “Back in Sweden it’s more puck possession, and here you need to get out of the D zone pretty quick and get the puck deep and get a forecheck.”
Wagner didn’t register his first American Hockey League point until his 11th game, and also failed to bank a point during the entire month of February. He said his offensive struggles weren’t from a lack of chances though.
“The first 30 games I had here I was playing pretty good hockey… I had some good opportunities to score some goals, but the puck didn’t want to go in,” he said.
The tides shifted during the month of March when Wagner was the hottest scorer on the team. The 6-foot, 176-pound winger enjoyed a six game point streak, racking up six goals and one assist during that stretch. He’s produced seven goals and 11 points through 48 games played with the Moose this year.
“After the first goal went in, it was a release mentally for me and it was easier to score some goals,” Wagner said. “I’ve just been trying to play my game and focus on that.”
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
A point of emphasis off the ice for Wagner has been improving his English-speaking ability to overcome the language barrier.
“I can speak the language better now so that makes a big difference,” he said.
Looking ahead to the offseason, Wagner said his plan is to head back to Sweden to train and improve his game for next year.
“I want to be better in everything, so I’m going to practice everything on the ice over there.”
