While the parent club has been active this past weekend adding pieces for both the NHL and AHL squad, the Moose are set to make an announcement of their own this week. While the team has not made anything official I understand that a number of their players from last season are set to sign some new deals as well including:
Captain Patrice Cormier who signed a one-year AHL deal last August and who will be once again signing on the dotted line as he brings his talents (and leadership) back to Manitoba for his seventh AHL season. He was named team captain last October and developed well in that role. At the end of season interviews he spoke about the responsibility of the position and how he continued to evolve during the course of the 2016-17 season. In 69 games for Manitoba he had 13 goals and 16 assists.
Adding a local element will be Peter Stoykewych who will be entering his third full professional season with the Moose (he also played six games with the IceCaps when his college career at Colorado ended in 2014-15). He was originally drafted by the Thrashers in the 7th round back in 2010 and the left-shooting defenceman was one of the most reliable defenders on the squad. In 72 games with Manitoba he had five goals and 15 assists.
While these additions are good there is still plenty of work to do as the team needs to replace Quinton Howden, Scott Kosmachuk, Ryan Olsen, Anthony Peluso, Brenden Kichton and Brian Strait.
