Manitoba Moose defenceman Evan Nause vividly remembers his first NHL experience. 

A young Nause sat in the stands at the now-hockey for all centre watching the Winnipeg Jets practice. He remembers being wowed by Josh Morrissey and Kyle Connor, who were in the infancy of their NHL careers, and was in awe while standing in the footsteps of Dustin Byfuglien. 

“How cool that was,” the blueliner said, nearly 10 years later of that day. 

This weekend, he’ll have the chance to bring it full circle, heading to Gatineau, Que. to play in the Prospect Challenge.  
 

“It’s special,” Nause said. “Being on a Canadian team means all that much more to me. It’s a cool full-circle moment, coming back and skating out there. It’s been a dream come true.” 

Nause heads to the Prospect Challenge after signing an AHL contract with the Moose during the summer. It brings the Riverview, N.B. native back to Canada after spending his first three professional seasons south of the border.  

A second round (56th overall) draft choice by the Florida Panthers in 2021, Nause has played nine AHL games, all with the Charlotte Checkers. The defenceman has 156 games of ECHL experience, 28 of which came with the Florida Everblades, playing the rest with the Savannah Ghost Pirates. He has 56 points (10G, 46A) during his ECHL tenure. 

Nause’s first few days in the Jets’ organization have been everything he hoped. 

“It’s super, it’s been great,” Nause detailed. “Everyone is super welcoming. When I got off the plane in Winnipeg, I kind of felt like I was at home. I love being back in Canada, and it’s been a great experience so far.” 

The 23-year-old was excited to get back on the ice and share in the budding camaraderie shared among the 23 young players on the roster. 

Armed with as many on-ice systems as coaches could cram into the short two-day window the players have been together, the Jets’ rookies are set for a Saturday afternoon clash with the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Slush Puppie in Gatineau at 12 p.m. CT.  

“I think at the end of the day, hockey is a universal language,” Nause said. “If there’s a pass, make it. Be hard to play against and work hard. That’s a simple formula to follow.” 

Watch the Winnipeg Jets prospects in action here: https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/how-to-watch-the-2026-prospect-challenge  

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