Manitoba Moose

IN his first regular-season audition with the NHL's Anaheim Ducks, Dan Sexton has shown an ability to produce offence.

Savvy and skills have helped him score nine goals and 18 points in a 28-game stay with the Ducks that lasted nearly two months, but the 23-year-old from Apple Valley, Minn., said production will be anything but automatic as he joins the Manitoba Moose for a second stint this week.

"If you start thinking like that, taking shortcuts and thinking the puck's going to come to you, you're going to be in trouble," Sexton said.

His current stay here may be only short-term, but the Moose will be thrilled with any offence he can generate. The team, having lost seven of the last eight, is among the bottom four in the AHL in goals.

"The opportunity to get him and his skill set, we could use it right now," coach Scott Arniel said.

Sexton, a free-agent signing by the Ducks in the off-season, was cut by the San Antonio Rampage early and wound up with the ECHL's Bakersfield Condors. After 26 points in 18 games there, he joined the Moose for five November games before the Ducks put in the call.

The Ducks, with roster issues after a trade and injured players returning, reassigned Sexton on Sunday.

"It's always disappointing when you find out," Sexton said Wednesday. "I had such a great time there. But to get sent back to a great place like this, there could be a lot worse."

The former Bowling Green State forward said he greatest improvement this season has been mental.

"I think it's just a confidence thing," he said. "When I was in the (ECHL), coming here, it was such a big jump for me. I found the players so much bigger, stronger, faster, better. When you get called up to the NHL, it's another big step, but being here for those five games, it really prepared me. When I went to (the NHL), I almost felt it was a smaller jump.

"That might surprise some people, but this league is such a small step below, there are so many good players it really prepares you for the next level.

"I don't feel my skills are a whole lot better. Maybe I'm just more poised."

He was thrilled that Ducks coach Randy Carlyle didn't cut bait quickly with him when he was first recalled.

"I liked Randy," Sexton said. "He had me on the second line and second power play when I got there, and even though I struggled the first couple of games trying to get my feet wet, it's like he kind of knew that would happen and he stuck with me. Luckily, I was able to do well the next games after that and maybe prove him right.

"I owe a lot to him for giving me the opportunity."

NOTES: Midday Wednesday, Arniel said recently waived Anaheim defenceman Nick Boynton, 31, would be joining the Moose this weekend. Boynton hasn't played an AHL game since 2001. He'll be the 45th player used by the Moose this season... Tickets were going fast for this weekend's games. For Friday's Cory Schneider bobblehead night, nearly 8,400 were sold as of Wednesday afternoon. Saturday's game was at more than 8,000.