WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – The 2010-2011 started the same way any other season started for the Manitoba Moose, the opening of training camp watching prospects and getting a roster set up for their 15th season in the Manitoba capital. In the pre-season, for the first time in six years, Winnipeg-born Mike Keane would be in the line-up for his home town Moose, a stretch that had seen Keane, a three-time Stanley Cup Champion, make a run to the Calder Cup finals losing to the Iowa Stars.
This year’s Moose squad was facing some struggles from day one, when Cory Schneider was moved to the Vancouver Canucks to serve as a back up in the national hockey league. Schneider had served as the Moose number one for two seasons and was a fan favourite.
But the Moose were able to replace Cory with Swedish star Eddie Lack. Though not the superstar Schneider was Lack was up to the challenge as he was a star in the Swedish Elite league where he had a respectful 2.67 goals against average and a .911 save percentage. His abilities in net were enough for him to carry his team in Sweden. Sent to the Moose on October 8, 2010, Lack made the most of his time. He has played in 40 games so far and posted a 22-15-3 record while picking up 5 shutouts. He has proven he has the necessary skill sets but still needs to work on his game a little further. Lack is a strong puck handler and is able to read the play very well. The netminder has an opportunity to be a rookie of the year.
Lack will be a key part of the Moose making a deep playoff run this season.
The Moose have always done a great job of mixing in veteran players on their roster with rookies and youngsters and this year is no exception.
The Moose signed veteran D-man Nolan Baumgartner for the start of the 2007 season and he has made an impact every season by bolstering the blueline for the Moose. Through 50 games he has picked up 25 points. Baumgartner has experience in all major leagues in North American playing in the WHL, AHL and parts of 12 seasons in the NHL and is a key part to the Moose success.
His veteran leadership is key in developing new young defence-men for both the Moose and the Canucks.
Another key to the Moose success this year has been the play of the Russian-born Sergei Shirokov who was drafted by the Canucks in 2006 and has been lighting the lamp for the Moose the last two seasons. Shirokov will surely make the Canucks roster in the next few years. The problem is the Canucks do not have the space for him with the big club but he will be a presence in the Canucks organization soon. He has been a key part to the Moose power play with four goals. He is a great puck mover and a fantastic puck handler, rarely turning the puck over.
The Moose have a proud history of developing great young stars and their development team, the Victoria Salmon Kings are preparing a young goalie by the name of David Schantz who is the number 10 goalie in the ECHL and a top prospect for the Manitoba Moose, he may be making a few appearances in the AHL as soon as next season.
As far the AHL playoff picture for the Moose this year they are sitting in the top spot in the North Division a division that they have won several times and they are sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference when the AHL Playoffs start the Moose will be ready and they will make a great year again this year to try and bring the Calder Cup Home to Winnipeg
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