Made in Manitoba

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/03/2020 (1999 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s not exactly a state secret that Manitobans have a love affair with hockey.

We tend to eat, breathe and sleep the sport that seems to be a part of our collective DNA, from the highest levels right on down to the grassroots. Our little corner of the world also produces quality players every year to feed various leagues around the globe.

Quite frankly, it can be hard to keep track of everyone. 

With that in mind, I’ve spent this past week tracking the progress of every locally born and raised player who this season laced up their skates in the NHL, AHL or ECHL, the three main North American professional leagues.

With hockey on indefinite pause due to COVID-19, I figured this was a great time to take stock, get us all up to speed and perhaps start an annual tradition in these pages.

What follows is a quick synopsis of what I found.

There are 67 skaters who fit the bill, including 40 forwards, 22 defencemen and five goaltenders.

Of those, 21 have played exclusively in the NHL, 12 in both the NHL and AHL, 13 exclusively in the AHL, nine in both the AHL and ECHL, and 12 exclusively in the ECHL (or a lower league).

A total of 23 communities are represented. Not surprisingly, Winnipeg leads the way with 30 players. Brandon is next with 12, while Roblin, Winkler and Swan River each have a pair. Arborg, Beausejour, Binscarth, Cross Lake, Elkhorn, Grandview, LaBroquerie, Lorette, Minnedosa, Morweena, Oakbank, Pilot Mound, Portage St. Andrews, St. Malo, Steinbach, Strathclair and The Pas each are home to one skater.

All told, those 67 Manitoba skaters appeared in 3,072 games this year — 1,408 in the NHL, 917 in the AHL and 747 in the ECHL.

The 62 forwards and defencemen have scored 441 goals (177 in the NHL, 111 in the AHL, 153 in the ECHL), 810 assists (348 in the NHL, 184 in the AHL and 278 in the ECHL) and 1,251 points (525 in the NHL, 295 in the AHL, 431 in the ECHL).

And the five goaltenders have combined for 58 wins (21 in the NHL, 23 in the AHL and 14 in the AHL).

There’s no shortage of great stories out there, too: kids such as Morgan Geekie, Keegan Kolesar and Adam Brooks making their big-league debuts; cagey veterans Cody McLeod and Ryan White hanging on in the minors; established stars Alex Steen and Duncan Keith hitting milestones; Chris Driedger and Zach Whitecloud seemingly coming out of nowhere; drafted and undrafted players trying to move up to the next level; and all kinds of MJHL and Bisons alumni you probably lost track of years ago.

So take a bow, Manitoba hockey communities. You’ve done well. To celebrate, here’s a snapshot of all 64 players (in alphabetical order) and what they’ve been up to this season.

D Justin Baudry, 23

LaBroquerie

Cincinnati Cyclones ECHL: 61 GP, 11 G, 27 A, 38 PTS

The undrafted blue-liner, who played four years at Bemidji State University, was putting up plenty of points in his first pro season.

D Madison Bowey, 24

Winnipeg

Detroit Red Wings NHL: 53 GP, 3 G, 14 A, 17 PTS

Grand Rapids Griffins AHL: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS

The 2013 second-round pick of the Washington Capitals was getting plenty of opportunity with a sad-sack Red Wings squad this season, already eclipsing a career-high in NHL games played in a season.

D Josh Brook, 20

Roblin

Laval Rocket AHL: 60 GP, 4 G,  9 A, 13 PTS

Solid first pro season for the 2017 second-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens.

F Adam Brooks, 23

Winnipeg

Toronto Maple Leafs NHL: 7 GP,  0 G, 3 A, 3 PTS

Toronto Marlies AHL: 29 GP, 9 G, 11 A, 20 PTS

The 2016 fourth-rounder, now in his third pro season, got his first taste of NHL action earlier this year and continues to be a very strong player at the minor-league level.

F Matt Calvert, 30 

 

Brandon

Colorado Avalanche NHL: 50 GP, 12 G, 13 A, 25 PTS

The 2008 fifth-rounder was on the verge of eclipsing a career high in points (26, set last year) at the time of the NHL suspension. He’s a valuable part of the bottom-six on a stacked Avalanche squad.

F Colt Conrad, 22

Brandon

Toronto Marlies AHL: 3 GP, 0 G, 1 A,  1 PTS

Newfoundland Growlers ECHL: 42 GP, 6 G, 32 A, 38 PTS

The undrafted graduate of Western Michigan University was having a big offensive pro debut at the ECHL level.

F Tyler Coulter, 23

Brandon

Rapid City Rush ECHL: 47 GP, 24 G, 15 A, 39 PTS

The undrafted former Brandon Wheat King was close to a point-per-game player in the ECHL after previously playing with the University of Calgary.

F Connor Dewar, 20

The Pas

Iowa Wild AHL: 52 GP, 6 G, 13 A, 19 PTS

The 2018 third-round pick of the Minnesota Wild was skating in his first pro season after finishing up an impressive WHL career with the Everett Silvertips.

F Max Domi, 24

Winnipeg

Montreal Canadiens NHL: 71 GP, 17 G, 27 A, 44 PTS

The 12th overall pick in the 2013 NHL draft and son of former Jets enforcer Tie Domi was having a bit of a down year offensively in his second season with the Habs after being traded from Arizona.

G Chris Driedger, 25

Winnipeg

Florida Panthers NHL: 12 GP, 7-2-1, 2.05 goal-against average, .938 save percentage

Springfield Thunderbirds AHL: 15 GP 6-9-0, 2.29 GAA, .932 SP

The 2012 third-round pick of Ottawa was a big part of Florida’s push for a playoff spot after being summoned earlier in the season from the minors.

F Cody Eakin, 28

Winnipeg

Winnipeg Jets/Vegas Golden Knights NHL: 49 GP, 5 G, 10 A, 15 PTS

The hometown boy had been skating on the second line with Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers and put up five points in his first eight games since coming over in a trade from Vegas.

D Josh Elmes, 26

Brandon

Rapid City Rush AHL: 53 GP, 0 G, 5 A, 5PTS

The undrafted former University of Manitoba Bison was in his third full season in the ECHL.

F Zach Franko, 27

Winnipeg

Norfolk Admirals ECHL: 8 GP, 5 G, 2 A, 7 PTS

Like Elmes, another Bison alumnus who was in his second pro season in the ECHL. Also played a handful of games this year in the lower-tiered Southern Professional Hockey League.

F Byran Froese, 29

Winkler

Stockton Heat AHL: 46 GP, 19 G, 23 A, 42 PTS

The 2009 fourth-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, who has 110 NHL games under his belt but none since the 2017-18 season, has matched a career high in points at the AHL level as a member of the Calgary Flames organization.

D Joel Edmundson, 26

Brandon

Carolina Hurricanes NHL: 68 GP, 7 G, 13 A, 20 PTS

The Stanley Cup champion has set a career high in points this year after a trade to Carolina.

F Micheal Ferland, 27

Swan River

Vancouver Canucks NHL: 14 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 PTS

Utica Comets AHL: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS

The former Wheat Kings sniper is at a career crossroads after suffering a setback while on a conditioning assignment in the AHL to work his way back from yet another concussion.

F Morgan Geekie, 21

Strathclair

Carolina Hurricanes NHL: 2 GP, 3 G, 1 A, 4 PTS

Charlotte Checkers AHL: 55 GP, 22 G, 20 A, 42 PTS

Talk about making a splash. The 2017 third-round pick of the Hurricanes put up four points in his first two NHL games after being called up from the minors.

F Cody Glass, 20

Winnipeg

Vegas Golden Knights NHL: 39 GP, 5 G, 7 A, 12 PTS

Chicago Wolves AHL: 2 GP, 1 G, 1 A,  2 PTS

The first-ever pick, sixth overall, of the expansion Golden Knights is still trying to find his way in Sin City, most recently dispatched to the minors for conditioning after a series of injuries limited his action with a deep Vegas team.

D Travis Hamonic, 29

St. Malo

Calgary Flames NHL: 50 GP, 3 G, 9 A, 12 PTS

The veteran defenceman has battled injuries but continues to be an important part of Calgary’s blue line. He’s a pending unrestricted free agent this summer.

F Brendan Harms, 25

Steinbach

Cincinnati Cyclones ECHL: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS

The undrafted Bemidji State University grad was in his third pro season, all in the ECHL.

D Chase Harrison, 23

Winnipeg

Jacksonville Icemen ECHL: 37 GP, 3 G, 5 A, 8 PTS

The undrafted Regina Pats alumnus was in his third pro season on his third ECHL team.

F Jayce Hawryluk, 24

Roblin

Ottawa Senators/Florida Panthers NHL: 26GP 3G 7A 10PTS

Springfield Thunderbirds AHL: 6GP 0G 1A 1PTS

The former Wheat Kings sniper has seven points in 11 games since Ottawa picked him off waivers earlier this year.

F Darren Helm, 32

St. Andrews

Detroit Red Wings NHL: 68 GP, 9 G, 7 A, 16 PTS

The veteran of 697 NHL games has spent his entire career in Motor City and remains a consistent part of their bottom six in what has been a nightmarish season for the franchise.

D Adam Henry, 25

Winnipeg

Fort Wayne Komets ECHL: 7 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS

After playing in the Western Hockey League followed by five seasons with the University of Manitoba Bisons, the undrafted Henry was just getting his feet wet with his first taste of pro hockey.

F James Henry, 29

Winnipeg

Adirondack Thunder ECHL: 50 GP, 8 G, 24 A, 32 PTS

Another WHL and Bison alumnus who went undrafted, he’s now in his seventh season of pro hockey, all in the ECHL. He put up a career-high 69 points last season with the Thunder.

F Nicholas Henry, 20

Portage La Prairie

Colorado Eagles AHL: 42 GP, 3 G, 6 A, 9 PTS

Utah Grizzlies ECHL: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS

The former Portage Terrier, who was the 2017 fourth-round pick of Colorado, spent the majority of his first pro season with their AHL affiliate.

F Brett Howden, 21

Oakbank

New York Rangers NHL: 70 GP, 9 G, 10 A, 19 PTS

The 27th overall pick in the 2016 draft was in his second full NHL season, surpassing the six goals he scored in his rookie season.

D Tanner Jago, 25

Brandon

Texas Stars AHL: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS

Idaho Steelheads ECHL: 49 GP, 1 G, 7 A, 8 PTS

The undrafted MJHL grad (Portage and Winkler) was in his first pro season after playing four years at Bentley University. He got a one-game taste of AHL action and scored his first pro goal with Idaho.

D Garrett Johnston, 24

Winnipeg

Toronto Marlies AHL: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS

Newfoundland Growlers ECHL: 57 GP, 3 G, 23 A, 26 PTS

Another former MJHLer (Swan Valley) who had stops in the QMJHL and with the Bisons, he was in his second pro season and having a strong one with Toronto’s ECHL affiliate.

F Tanner Kaspick, 21

Brandon

San Antonio Rampage AHL: 59 GP, 6 G, 18 A, 24 PTS

The former Wheat Kings star, selected in the fourth round of the 2016 draft by the St. Louis Blues, was in his second full pro season with their AHL affiliate.

D Brady Keeper, 23

Cross Lake

Springfield Thunderbirds AHL: 61 GP, 6 G, 12 A, 18 PTS

His terrific story is well-documented, from the OCN Blizzard of the MJHL to the University of Maine to a contract with the Florida Panthers and his NHL debut late last season. The undrafted Keeper from the remote Manitoba First Nation community was learning the pro game this year with their AHL affiliate.

G Cole Kehler, 22

Winkler

Ontario Reign AHL: 1 GP, 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 SP

Fort Wayne Komets ECHL: 31 GP, 14-10-4, 3.05 GAA, .901 SP

The undrafted former Western Hockey Leaguer is in his second full season in the ECHL and got eight minutes of AHL action earlier this season.

D Duncan Keith, 36

Winnipeg

Chicago Blackhawks NHL: 61 GP, 3 G, 24 A, 27 PTS

The Kenora-born, Winnipeg-raised Keith, who has spent his entire NHL career in the Windy City, passed the 100-goal and 600-point milestones this season.

F Keegan Kolesar, 22

Winnipeg

Vegas Golden Knights NHL: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0PTS

Chicago Wolves AHL: 33 GP, 3 G, 15 A, 18 PTS

The 2015 third-rounder made his NHL debut earlier this season.

F Tristan Langan, 21

Swan River

San Jose Barracuda AHL: 9 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS

Orlando Solar Bears ECHL: 45 GP, 13 G, 24 A, 37 PTS

Undrafted former Moose Jaw Warrior split his first pro season between the AHL and ECHL.

F Brendan Leipsic, 25

Winnipeg

Washington Capitals NHL: 61 GP, 3 G, 8 A, 11 PTS

The 2012 third-rounder is on his fifth NHL club but was a regular fixture on the fourth line with a deep Capitals team.

D Brett Lernout, 24

Winnipeg

Chicago Wolves AHL: 38 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 PTS

The 2014 third-rounder, with 21 NHL games with Montreal on his resumé, is now with the Vegas organization.

F Ty Lewis, 21

Brandon

Colorado Eagles AHL: 12 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS

Utah Grizzlies ECHL: 44 GP, 25 G, 26 A, 51 PTS

Undrafted former Wheat Kings star put up big numbers in his second pro season in the ECHL, while also getting some AHL action.

F Jermaine Loewen, 22

Arborg

Chicago Wolves AHL: 31GP 1G 1A 2PTS

Fort Wayne Komets ECHL: 19GP 3G 1A 4PTS

The Jamaica-born, Arborg-raised seventh-round pick of the 2018 NHL draft (Dallas) has split his first pro season between the AHL and ECHL.

G Austin Lotz, 24

Winnipeg

Kalamazoo Wings ECHL: 1 GP 0-1-0, 5.01 GAA, .783 SP

The undrafted Lotz was in his fourth pro season, but his ECHL struggles  landed him in the Southern Professional Hockey League.

F Jonathon Martin, 24

Winnipeg

Tucson Roadrunners AHL: 56 GP, 12 G, 6 A, 18 PTS

Now in his fourth pro season, the undrafted Martin has set a career-high for goals in the AHL.

F Jordan Martinook, 27

Brandon

Carolina Hurricanes NHL: 45 GP, 2 G, 11 A, 13 PTS

Just surpassed the 100-point milestone in the fifth year of his NHL career.

F Stelio Mattheos, 20

Winnipeg

Charlotte Checkers AHL: 16 GP, 3 G, 3 A, 6 PTS

Third-round pick in the 2017 NHL draft was in his first full pro season after a stellar WHL career in Brandon.

F Cody McLeod, 35

Binscarth

Iowa Wild AHL: 21 GP, 4 G, 3 A, 7 PTS

Undrafted veteran of 776 NHL games spent the whole year with Minnesota’s farm team as he tries to keep his pro career going.

D Dylan McIlrath, 27

Winnipeg

Detroit Red Wings NHL: 16 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS

Grand Rapids Griffins AHL: 44 GP, 0 G, 8 A, 8 PTS

The 10th overall pick of the 2010 NHL draft has played only 66 career NHL games, spending most of his career in the AHL.

F Shaquille Merasty, 28

Minnedosa

Wichita Thunder/Greenville Swamp Rabbits/Fort Wayne Komets ECHL: 31 GP, 4 G, 5 A, 9 PTS

Undrafted veteran forward has spent the past three years in the ECHL after three years with the Bisons.

D Joel Messner, 26

Lorette

Atlanta Gladiators ECHL: 59 GP, 8 G, 29 A, 37 PTS

After splitting last season between the AHL and ECHL, the undrafted blue-liner has spent this whole season in the lower league.

F Kamerin Nault, 24

Winnipeg

Charlotte Checkers AHL: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS

Greenville Swamp Rabbits ECHL: 40 GP, 16 G, 16 A, 32 PTS

Undrafted Winnipeg Blues alumnus, who had a goal and assist in one game with the Manitoba Moose last season, has primary been in the ECHL this season.

G Calvin Pickard, 27

Winnipeg

Detroit Red Wings NHL: 3 GP, 0-2-0, 5.46 GAA, .797 SP

Grand Rapids Griffins AHL: 33 GP, 17-12-4, 1 A, 2.86 GAA, .903 SP

Veteran of 107 NHL games now seems relegated to an AHL role.

F Adam Pleskach, 31

Beausejour

Tulsa Oilers ECHL: 63 GP, 21 G, 28 A, 49 PTS

Undrafted Selkirk Steelers alumnus has proven to be a big scorer at the ECHL level.

D Ryan Pulock, 25

Grandview

New York Islanders NHL: 68 GP, 10 G, 25 A, 35 PTS

The 15th-overall pick in the 2013 NHL draft is on the cusp of setting new career highs for goals, assists and points.

F Ryan Reaves, 32

Winnipeg

Vegas Golden Knights NHL: 71 GP, 8 G, 7 A, 15 PTS

Power forward having another strong season in Sin City.

G James Reimer, 31

Morweena

Carolina Hurricanes NHL: 25 GP, 14-6-2, 2.66 GAA, .914 SP

He was having a strong first season in Carolina after being traded by the Florida Panthers, but recently went down with injury.

F Jack Rodewald, 25

Winnipeg

Springfield Thunderbirds/Belleville Bulls AHL: 49 GP, 5 G, 11 A, 16 PTS

Undrafted forward with 10 career NHL games struggled offensively in the AHL this season.

D Travis Sanheim, 23

Elkhorn

Philadelphia Flyers NHL: 69 GP, 8 G, 17 A,  25PTS

The 17th-overall pick in the 2014 NHL draft hit the 200-game mark for his career.

D Damon Severson, 25

Brandon

New Jersey Devils NHL: 69 GP, 8 G, 23 A, 31 PTS

Now in his sixth season with the Devils, Severson was closing in on a career high in offensive production.

F Alex Steen, 35

Winnipeg

St. Louis Blues NHL: 55 GP, 7 G, 10 A, 17 PTS

Stanley Cup champion got to play in his 1,000th career game earlier this season in Winnipeg.

F Mark Stone, 27

Winnipeg

Vegas Golden Knights NHL: 65 GP, 21 G, 42 A, 63 PTS

Having a stellar first full season in Vegas after signing a big free-agent deal.

D Michael Stone, 29

Winnipeg

Calgary Flames NHL: 33 GP, 2 G, 5 A, 7 PTS

Solid depth defenceman in Calgary who is a pending UFA.

D Peter Stoykewych, 27

Winnipeg

Manitoba Moose AHL: 12 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS

Captain of the Moose spent most of this season sidelined with injury.

F Jonathan Toews, 31

Winnipeg

Chicago Blackhawks NHL: 70 GP, 18 G, 42 A, 60 PTS

Captain Serious was having another strong two-way season on a struggling Blackhawks team.

F Dale Weise, 31

Winnipeg

Montreal Canadiens NHL: 23 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 PTS

Laval Rocket AHL: 27 GP, 3 G, 4 A, 7 PTS

Veteran forward bounced between the NHL and AHL this season.

D Riley Weselowski, 35

Pilot Mound

Wichita Thunder ECHL: 53 GP, 2 G, 13 A, 15 PTS

The undrafted former MJHLer (Neepawa), in his 12th pro season, has been a fixture in the ECHL in that time.

F Ryan White, 31

Brandon

Manitoba Moose AHL: 21 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 3 PTS

Veteran of 313 NHL games battled injuries this season as a depth forward with the Moose.

D Zach Whitecloud, 23

Brandon

Vegas Golden Knights NHL: 16 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS

Chicago Wolves AHL: 35 GP, 2 G, 5 A, 7 PTS

Undrafted free agent signing was getting an extended look with the big club and recorded his first NHL point.

F Colin Wilson, 30

Winnipeg

Colorado Avalanche NHL: 9GP 0G 4A 4PTS

The veteran forward, who was born in the U.S. but raised in Winnipeg, has missed the majority of the season due to a lower-body injury that required surgery.

F Travis Zajac, 34

Winnipeg

New Jersey Devils NHL: 69 GP, 9 G, 16 A, 25 PTS

Just nine games away from hitting the 1,000 mark, all with the Devils. Whether the 20th-overall pick in the 2004 draft gets there this season remains to be seen.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg