The Manitoba Moose pre-season is over just as quick as it began. 

Manitoba travelled to Minnesota on Thursday, before playing games Friday and Saturday afternoon at TRIA Rink in St. Paul, Minn. against the Iowa Wild. The Moose dropped the opener by a 3-0 scoreline, but rebounded on Saturday, scoring a 4-1 victory.  

“The pace was good, and the competition was good,” said head coach Mark Morrison. “It’s good to evaluate your players against good competition. I thought both games were hard-fought. We learned a lot about our players.” 

Five players either on NHL or AHL contracts appeared in their first game in antlers. Mikey Milne, Deni Goure, Evan Nause, and Dysin Mayo make up the collective on AHL deals with the Moose. Kevin He, the Winnipeg Jets’ fourth round draft choice in 2024, skated in both games over the weekend.  

He split time between the OHL’s Niagara IceDogs and Flint Firebirds in 2025-26. In his junior career, the winger scored 239 points (127G, 112A) in 252 games. Though held scoreless on the weekend, He found his stride as the games wore on. 

“I felt good,” He explained. “A lot of the veterans took me under their wing and showed me the ropes a little bit. It was good soaking it all in. To finish off the road trip with a win is pretty surreal.” 

Morrison saw plenty to like in He’s game from his viewpoint in the middle of the Moose bench. 

“He skates really well; he protects the puck pretty well. He plays with lots of energy and pace,” Morrison detailed. “We liked him. He was on the power play, on the penalty kill, and he was good on both of them.” 

Manitoba’s offence was buoyed by a pair of goals from Milne, with Goure chipping in another. Chase Yoder potted a goal in the third period. Winnipeg product Isaac Poulter was stellar in the Moose crease, turning aside 29 shots on Saturday. 

Three players – Milne, Goure, and Jacob Julien recorded multi-point games on Saturday.  

Morrison said the turnaround was aided by some of the talent inserted into the lineup in Manitoba’s final preseason tune-up. The bench boss also credited the power play, which scored on one of their four opportunities. Manitoba’s penalty kill was perfect on the afternoon, going six-for-six. 

The Moose lineup featured plenty of youth over the weekend. More important than the pre-season record was the chance to get real reps and experience AHL hockey. Kevin He says his time in Minnesota, as well as his NHL pre-season reps, have been invaluable as he prepares for his first season of professional hockey. 

“It was nice to get on this road trip with the guys,” he reflected. “It’s been surreal between the prospect tournament and playing a few games there in pre-season. I came here definitely ready, but I’ve still got a lot to learn. That’s something I’m looking forward to.” 

Manitoba gets the season started Saturday, Oct. 3 and Sunday, Oct. 4 with the defending Western Conference Champion Chicago Wolves in town. Tickets are available at moosehockey.com/tickets.