Manitoba Moose

The Manitoba Moose are down to more workable numbers.

Although several players remain with the parent Vancouver Canucks and should return before the season opener on Oct. 2 against the Houston Aeros, the Moose trimmed 20 players from their roster to temporarily get down to 23.

That number increased to 29 when the Canucks removed goalie Daren Machesney, defencemen Travis Ramsey, Taylor Ellington and Evan Oberg and forwards Eric Walsky and Pierre-Cedric Labrie from their pre-season roster.

"We met with 20 guys this morning and thanked for coming in and showing them what they can do," said Moose head coach Scott Arniel. "Like I told most of them, it's like putting a face and a style of play to a name. Some won't see exhibition games, but this is about our depth. If we need guys over the course of the year, I'm a little more familiar (with them).

"We used 50 players last year and we need to have an idea of those guys. We don't just throw darts at a board and hope somebody can help us."

For those players who earned a shot in pre-season games with the Abbotsford Heat tonight and Sunday, Arniel urged that some spots on the roster were still up for grabs.

"There are some guys that are intriguing," said Arniel. "We're not sure how many jobs are going to be available next week. There are some guys who have been nice surprises. There will be lots of decisions. I'm not going to say I have my mind made up."

Arniel said veterans Mike Keane and Marty Murray will suit up in at least one game and that he expects goalies Rejean Beauchemin and Adam Munro to each play one game.

PROPS FOR VIGNEAULT: Arniel was happy to see Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault get a three-year extension yesterday."Good for him," said Arniel. "Since he's been there, from the start, he's turned the organization around. The team was maybe older and a little bit slower, he's really put a good work ethic in there. That staff and the whole organization has taken on a new identity from years past and the old regime.

"He should get a lot of credit because he's done a great job."

In three seasons, the Canucks have won the regular season title in the Northwest Division twice, while posting a record of 133-86-27.

Vigneault's new contract runs through the 2012-13 season.