Fast Facts: Moose at Grand Rapids – Oct. 17

The Manitoba Moose (1-1-0-0) head on the road for the first time in 2025-26 on Friday night, facing off against the Grand Rapids Griffins (2-0-0-0). Manitoba fell 5-2 to the Laval Rocket last time out, with both their goals coming off the stick of David Gustafsson in his season debut. The Griffins make their first appearance on home ice after winning a pair of games in Texas to start the campaign. Coverage begins at 5:45 p.m. CT on cjob.com, the Winnipeg Jets App or AHLTV on FloHockey. Action from Van Andel Arena starts at 6 p.m. CT.

Gus Bus Back in Service

David Gustafsson wasted little time in his return to the Moose lineup, playing his first game in antlers since February 2024 on Sunday. The Tingsryd, Sweden native took two shots in the contest, lighting the lamp both times. Gustafsson is currently one of only two players in the AHL with a 100 percent shooting percentage, with the other being Toronto Marlies forward Travis Boyd. The 25-year-old has laced up the skates in 89 AHL games, scoring 61 points (26G, 35A) over the course of five seasons. Gustafsson was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the second round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

Offence by Committee

Through two games, 13 of the 22 skaters who have dressed for the Moose have at least one point on their docket. Only two teams in the AHL have more players with points: the Rockford IceHogs and this weekend’s opponent, the Grand Rapids Griffins. Three players on Manitoba’s roster have multiple points this season, with David Gustafsson, Isaak Phillips, and Danny Zhilkin leading the way. Phillips is the only member of the Moose with a point in both games on opening weekend.

DiVincentiis’ Strong Opening Weekend

Domenic DiVincentiis started both games in the Moose goal last weekend, claiming his first victory of the season. The Bolton, Ont. native comes out of his first pair of games in his sophomore season boasting a .915 save percentage and a 2.57 goals-against average. His performance in the Home Opener on Friday night was particularly noteworthy, stopping 36 shots – the third-highest single-game mark in his young professional career – allowing just one goal in Manitoba’s 4-1 win over the Laval Rocket on Friday night. During the 2024-25 campaign, DiVincentiis owned a .906 save percentage and a 2.84 goals-against average in 28 games of AHL action.

Phillips Leading the Way

Isaak Phillips is on the board in both games this season. His two points (2A) are tied for the team lead. Elsewhere, his plus-three rating tops Manitoba’s leaderboard and is tied for fifth-best in the American Hockey League. Phillips also heads the Moose with nine shots on goal, the third most of anyone in the league. The Barrie, Ont. native scored eight points (3G, 5A) in 39 games with the Moose last season, spending the other part of his year as the alternate captain of the Rockford IceHogs, where he notched a further eight points (1G, 7A) in 28 contests.

Who's Trending?

Forward Chase Yoder appeared in his first professional game on Sunday. Yoder marked the occasion by tallying his first career point, an assist on David Gustafsson’s goal in the third period. The Fairview, Texas product is the second Moose this season to post a point in their professional debut after Brayden Yager’s season-opening goal on Oct. 10.