Fast Facts: Moose vs. Chicago – Jan. 23

The Manitoba Moose play host to the Chicago Wolves tonight at Canada Life Centre (7 p.m.). It's just the second game the two long-time rivals match up in so far this season. Chicago took the first meeting by a 6-3 count. The Moose are coming off a 4-3 loss to Grand Rapids on Saturday, while the Wolves have won three straight. Tickets for tonight's tilt are available at MooseHockey.com/TICKETS.

Roster Moves

The Moose recalled goaltender Thomas Milic from the ECHL’s Norfolk Admirals. Milic has appeared in four games for the Moose this season and posted a 1-1-0 record along with a 3.74 goals-against average and a .877 save percentage. The netminder recorded his first AHL victory on Nov. 17/23 in Belleville on the strength of 26 stops. In 18 games for Norfolk, Milic owns an 11-3-3 record along with a 2.45 goals-against average a .908 save percentage and two shutouts. The netminder was named to the 2024 ECHL All-Star Game and represented Canada at the 2023 Spengler Cup.

Rookies on Top

The 2023-24 Moose are one of two teams in the AHL boasting a pair of rookies leading the squad in points. Nikita Chibrikov, who potted a pair of goals on Saturday, leads the way for Manitoba with 28 points (13G, 15A) through 33 games. Chibrikov is trailed by Brad Lambert, who ranks second on the team with 25 points (12G, 13A) over the span of 29 contests. In addition to being first and second on the team in scoring, both Chibrikov and Lambert are dangerous on the man-advantage and pace the squad with five power play goals and eight power play assists each.

First in Antlers

Brett Kemp recorded a second period assist in Manitoba’s contest on Saturday. The assist marks Kemp’s first point as a member of the Moose. The Yorkton, Sask. native has appeared in 19 AHL contests this season split between the San Jose Barracuda and the Moose and has registered six points (1G, 5A) in those games. The winger has 25 total games of AHL experience under his belt with Ontario, San Jose and Manitoba and has posted seven points (1G, 6A) over his career.

Shooting Stars

A pair of Moose alumni will represent the Winnipeg Jets at the NHL All-Star Weekend Feb. 1-3 in Toronto. Connor Hellebuyck was named to the roster back on Jan. 4. The Commerce, Mich. product played in the AHL from 2014-16, appearing in 88 games while posting a 41-37-6 record, supported by a 2.55 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. This season with Winnipeg, Hellebuyck owns a 23-7-3 record with a 2.15 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage to go with two shutouts. The NHL announced yesterday forward Kyle Connor will join Hellebuyck at the showcase. Connor appeared in 56 games with the Moose from 2016-18 while racking up 28 goals and 49 points. This season the Shelby Township, Mich. native has 29 points (18G, 11A) in 28 games with the Jets. Both Hellebuyck and Connor were named team MVP for the Moose during their time with the club.

Who's Trending?

Jeff Malott notched a pair of assists on Saturday against the Griffins. The forward, who appeared in his 200th career AHL contest this weekend, is riding a two-game point streak and has three points (1G, 2A) over that span. The Waterdown, Ont. product has tallied 24 points (9G, 15A) in 33 games this season and ranks fourth overall in Moose scoring in 2023-24.