Import rookies propel Halifax to DND win

Mensonen's goal celebration
Photo - Ashley Hennigar

Well it was quite the night for the import rookies who helped lead the Halifax Mooseheads to a 5-3 victory over the Cape Breton Eagles on DND Appreciation Night. Russian Oleg Kulebiakin added onto his team leading point totals by scoring twice and helping on another Saturday night while Imatra, Finland native Jasu Mensonen also had 3 points (1 goal & 2 assists) as both players received stars of the game honours. The game began with a ceremonial puck drop from a couple of Canadian Armed Forces members and another signing O Canada. Fans weren't too happy about midway through the first period as a Herd player got interfered with and there was no call on the play but the referees did make a call on a similar play late in the frame which led to Will Bent scoring the opening goal on the power play. Halifax kept on going in the second, getting out to a 3-0 lead halfway through the period but the lead after 40 minutes would only be 3-2. Kulebiakin's two goals happened in the third extending the lead with his 8th of the season (goal #2 in game) being scored during the Needs Minute It to Win It giveaway so someone went home with $6,300 in Needs gift cards. The 'pot' had grown since at least late in the 2023-24 season. Surprisingly, Cape Breton did not have a power play opportunity during the match while the Moose had just one. 

FINAL: Eagles 3 at Mooseheads 5
Stars: 3. Lewis Gendron CAP | 2. Jasu Mensonen HAL | 1. Oleg Kulebiakin HAL 
Attendance: 8,397 

GAME LOG
First period
17:13 HAL William Bent (2), PP | A: Kennedy & L'Italien 

Second period 
6:25 HAL Jasu Mensonen (3) | A: Kulebiakin & Carrier
9:41 HAL Caylen Blake (4) | A: None
18:00 CAP Lewis Gendron (2) | A: Burke & De Ladurantaye
19:08 CAP Samuel Rocca (3) | A: Peitzsche & Hartlin

Third period 
2:15 HAL Oleg Kulebiakin (7) | A: Mensonen 
10:29 HAL Oleg Kulebiakin (8) | A: Mensonen & Kilfoil
14:09 CAP Romain Litalien (2) | A: Gendron

Powerplay: CAP - 0-for-0; HAL - 1-for-1
Shots: 35-25 in favour of Halifax

Did not play - Alec Nesreddine (healthy), Lincoln Waugh (injured), Justin Chiras (healthy) & Antoine Fontaine (injured)

Next game
The Halifax Mooseheads will head out for a 5 game road trip starting tomorrow in Moncton against the Wildcats. Game time is 3 p.m.

Game Day 12: vs Eagles

PREVIEW - Your Halifax Mooseheads wrap up their six game home-stand this evening when they host the Cape Breton Eagles for DND Appreciation Night. Surprisingly, this is the first matchup between these two provincial rivals during the regular season, however they did battle it out for all 4 exhibitions games that both teams had. Halifax will honour the Canadian Armed Forces tonight by wearing special themed jerseys that will be auctioned & raffled off with the funds raised going to normally Camp Hill Veterans Hospital. The Mooseheads have played 9 of their first eleven matches this season at the Scotiabank Centre and have given the fans who have showed up lots of things to cheer about as they have a 7-4-0-0 record so far. Despite only having two wins in 8 games played for the Eagles, goaltender Felix Hamel is amongst the league leaders being 4th in goals against average (2.68) and having the third best save percentage (0.913). So we could see a low scoring game tonight. 

Coverage
TV: FloHockey | Radio: News 95.7 | Live: @MC_MooseCountry

Overall records
Eagles: 4-4-1-2 = 11 points (6th in Maritimes division, 15th overall)
Mooseheads: 7-4-0-0 = 14 points (2nd in Maritimes division, 6th overall)

Leading scorers
HAL: Oleg Kulebyakin 9pts (6G & 3A), Shawn Carrier 8pts (5G & 3A), Quinn Kennedy 8pts (5G & 3A) 
CAP: Eliot Litalien 9pts (5G & 4A), Lewis Gendron 9pts (1G & 8A), Romain Litalien 7pts (1G & 6A)

Head-to-head
This is the first match of the season series between these two teams. Halifax had a 2-5-1-0 record against the Eagles last season while Cape Breton went 6-2-0-0 versus the Mooseheads. Caylen Blake led the Mooseheads to a 5-3 victory in the two teams last matchup back on March 16 with two goals and Jacob Steinman stopped 28 of the Eagles 31 shots in Halifax. 

Out of town
Sagueneens vs. Armada - 5:00 p.m.
Drakkar vs. Oceanic - 5:00 p.m.
Huskies vs. Olympiques - 5:00 p.m.
Cataractes vs. Remparts - 5:00 p.m.
Foreurs vs. Voltigeurs - 5:00 p.m.
Tigres vs. Phoenix - 5:00 p.m.
Regiment vs. Sea Dogs - 6:30 p.m.

After the buzzer
Halifax will travel to Moncton and take on the Wildcats in a matinee tomorrow to start a 5 game road trip. Puck drops at 3 p.m.

Six Moose on Players to Watch list

Danny Walters
Photo - Mooseheads Twitter

With such a young team, our Halifax Mooseheads have six players that have been named on the Central Scouting initial Players to Watch list for the 2026 NHL Draft. The list was released on Monday and features 55 QMJHL players with two of them being given an 'A' rating, which indicates a first round candidate; Egor Shilov of the Victoriaville Tigres and Blainville-Boisbriand Armada's Xavier Villeneuve. 

Goaltender Nicolas Cirka, defenseman Eddy Dolye and forward Will Bent were among the 'C' players that scouts think will be drafted in the 4th or 5th rounds next June. This next rating is new this year with 6th and 7th round candidates being given a 'W', Herd forwards Caylen Blake, Oleg Kulebiakin and Daniel Walters are part of this group. 

The projected #1 pick is forward Gavin McKenna who currently is suiting up for the Penn State Nittany Lions and is the fourth youngest player in men's college hockey. He is just one of the few former CHL players who have moved to the NCAA after the rule change. 

Congratulations to our guys and all the players who are prospects for the upcoming draft. It will be interesting to see how many Mooseheads actually get selected in June. For the full list, click here.

Q PROSPECTS GAME UPDATE
We know there is going to be 3 Mooseheads playing in tomorrow's QMJHL Prospects Game which is being hosted by the Sherbrooke Phoenix, but it was announced when the league released the two teams' rosters on Wednesday that a fourth will participate. 

Tignish, PE native Eddy Doyle has been invited to play in the game as an injury replacement. Congrats to Eddy on getting this opportunity, he will join Walters, Kulebiakin and Bent in Sherbrooke. 

Team Crosby will have Kulebiakin and Walters on it with Bent and Doyle are set to suit up for Team Lafleur. Check out the full rosters here. I can't find any info on if the game will be on television but for people in Sherbrooke who are interested, you can get tickets. 

We’re all set for the first practices before tomorrow’s QMJHL Prospects Game! 🤩#ProspectsGame | @BFLCANADA pic.twitter.com/93n2x5T7gC

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) October 20, 2025

Game Day 10 & 11: vs Regiment

PREVIEW - Our Halifax Mooseheads are in the midst of a six game home-stand and will welcome the Newfoundland Regiment for a two match set on Friday and Saturday night. The Regiment relocated to St. John's, NL this past summer after spending 27 years in Bathurst, NB. Newfoundland kicked off their inaugural season well, defeating the reigning champion Moncton Wildcats twice in back to back games to start the year but they find themselves with a 5-5-0-0 record going into tonight's contest. Halifax meanwhile is preforming better than most people expected them to early on in this campaign, with 6 victories over 9 games so far. Assuming they keep to what they posted on the selection form for half season packages, Moose Country should see an East Coast Kitchen Party this weekend at the Scotiabank Centre. Despite their record, the Regiment do have the top two current scoring leaders in the Q so our Herd will have to play well defensively against them. 

Coverage
TV: Eastlink | Radio: News 95.7 | Live: @MC_MooseCountry

Overall records
Regiment: 5-5-0-0 = 10 points (5th in Maritimes division, 12th overall)
Mooseheads: 6-3-0-0 = 12 points (2nd in Maritimes division, 5th overall)

Leading scorers
HAL: Shawn Carrier 8pts (5G & 3A), Quinn Kennedy 8pts (5G & 3A), Oleg Kulebyakin 8pts (5G & 3A)
NFL: Justin Larose 19pts (7G & 12A), Marek Danicek 17pts (6G & 11A), Louis-Francois Belanger 12pts (6G & 6A)

Head-to-head
This is the first match of the season between these two teams. Halifax had a 2-3-3-0 record against the Titan in their last year in Bathurst while they went 6-2-0-0 versus the Mooseheads. Emile Perron had the overtime winner as Acadie-Bathurst came back from a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3 in extra time. Callum Aucoin had 2 goals for Halifax in the road loss. 

Out of town
Wildcats vs. Tigres - 7:00 p.m.
Islanders vs. Foreurs - 7:00 p.m.
Drakkar vs. Eagles - 8:00 p.m.
Armada vs. Voltigeurs - 8:00 p.m.
Oceanic vs. Phoenix - 8:00 p.m.
Sagueneens vs. Remparts - 8:00 p.m.
Olympiques vs. Cataractes - 8:00 p.m.

After the buzzer
Halifax will finish their home stand next Saturday when they welcome the Cape Breton Eagles for DND Appreciation Night. Puck drops at 7 p.m.

New record is difference in victory

Photo - Herd website

A new record was set by the Halifax Mooseheads on Wednesday night and it was the difference in picking up a 4-2 victory over the Victoriaville Tigres. Rookie Oleg Kulebyakin scored his 5th goal of the season to kick off the fun at the 7:34 mark of the first period. Halifax's third goal scored by Caylen Blake, his first of the year, 62 seconds later gave the Mooseheads a 3-0 lead and a new franchise record for the fastest time to score three goals. Victoriaville pushed back in the middle frame and Alexey Vlasov scored early on to cut the lead to 3-1. The Tigres came in to the game with the QMJHL's best power play percentage but were provided with only one opportunity which the Herd killed off. Overall it was an interesting game between the two youngest teams in the league this season. 

FINAL: Tigres 2 at Mooseheads 4
Stars: 3. Carlos Handel HAL | 2. Liam Kilfoil HAL | 1. Owen Bresson HAL
Attendance: 5,745
MC's Top Herd: Liam Kilfoil

GAME LOG
First period
7:34 HAL Oleg Kulebyakin (5) | A: Doyle & Walters
8:17 HAL Shawn Carrier (5) | A: Kennedy & Kilfoil
8:36 HAL Caylen Blake (1) | Bent & Santini

Second period 
3:46 VIC Alexey Vlasov (6) | A: Paquet 
16:54 HAL Liam Kilfoil (2) | A: MacPherson & Doyle

Third period
6:28 VIC Egor Shilov (5) | A: Vlasov & Korneyev

Powerplay: VIC - 0-for-1; HAL - 0-for-1
Shots: 33-31 in favour of Halifax

Did not play - Justin Chiras (healthy), Lincoln Waugh (injured), Alec Nesreddine (healthy) & Antoine Fontaine (healthy)

Next game
Our Halifax Mooseheads will welcome the newly named Newfoundland Regiment for two games on Friday and Saturday. Puck drops at 7 p.m. 

Herd Word

BEST GOALIE
Goaltender Owen Bresson of our Halifax Mooseheads was named to the Team of the Week on Monday after going 2-0-0-0 during the previous weekend with wins over Baie-Comeau and Moncton. It's the first time this season that a Herd player has been named to the team. Bresson also had a 0.97 GAA between the two matches. Congrats Owen!

Photo - QMJHL website

MACKINNON TRADED
Former Herd defenseman Dylan MacKinnon has been traded from the Moncton Wildcats to the Charlottetown Islanders. The announcement was made on Tuesday, and could be done because MacKinnon is a 20 year old. Moncton receives 3 draft picks in return. Dylan was a healthy scratch in the Wildcats match against the Mooseheads on Saturday so this would explain why. 

The Moncton, NB native has no points so far this season but has only played two games. 'For the Islanders, who currently sit 1st place in the QMJHL, this acquisition sends a clear message: the team is all-in on a championship push. MacKinnon's arrival adds experience, toughness, and a winning mentality to a defensive group that already ranks among the league's best,' says Charlottetown's press release. 

QMJHL PROSPECTS GAME
The QMJHL announced on Thursday the names of the 40 players who will participate in the first-ever QMJHL Prospects Game on October 21 at the Palais Leopold-Drolet in Sherbrooke. A few of the young men named are currently playing for Halifax this season; forwards Daniel Walters, Oleg Kulebyakin and William Bent will take part. 

Congratulations to our three players on being named and good luck. The rosters of the two teams participating in the game, which will be called Team Lafleur and Team Crosby, will be announced in the coming days. Full release here. 

THIS IS MOOSE COUNTRY
The second season of the team's podcast; This is Moose Country, is underway and episode 2 was released earlier this week. Episode 1 talked about the home opener and the 2025-26 roster plus Scott MacIntosh and Brad Cuzner were joined by new coaches Brad MacKenzie and Josh Hepditch. Below is the video for the most recent episode where Herd alumni Zach Fucale joined the hosts to talk about his time with Halifax, getting traded to Quebec plus more. 

 

Photo - Avalanche Twitter

FRANCHISE LEADER
The Colorado Avalanche have a new all-time leader in points since the franchise relocated and I am sure it is no surprise that it is former Moose player Nathan MacKinnon. The 30-year-old recorded an assist in the Avs opening game on Tuesday in Los Angeles against the Kings. It was his 1,016th point (367 goals, 649 points) in 871 games to break a tie with Joe Sakic (1,015 points in 870 games). 

"He means a ton," Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog said of MacKinnon. "He drives our team on a nightly basis, offensively. ... Just so many things he does so well, and I'm not surprised that he's, yet again, breaking another franchise record. You know, it's just kind of what he does, so exciting to see."

Keep it going Nate, congrats on becoming the points leader! 

Back & forth battle goes to Halifax

Photo - Herd Instagram

The Halifax Mooseheads have won their 4th game at home to start their season as they picked up two points against the Rimouski Oceanic on Thursday night, getting a 5-4 victory. Halifax was pretty dominate all game but there were times, mostly early in the third period, that the puck just seemed to bounce all over the place. Junior Gaulberto got the Mooseheads on the board at the 6:58 mark of the opening frame with his first QMJHL goal and that's how the teams would go into the intermission with the home team up 1-0 after 20 minutes. Former Herd forward Lou Levesque tied the game up for Rimouski about midway through the second. Rookie Cam Minella also scored his first career goal to give Halifax back the lead but once again the Oceanic would find a way to suck the air out of the Moose Country crowd. Rimouski took a 3-2 lead early in the third taking advantage of the back and forth bouncy action. Veteran Shawn Carrier scored twice in the final frame, including back handing a rebound into the net to make it 3-3. He would also record a shorthanded empty net goal with exactly one minute left to seal the game.

FINAL: Oceanic 4 at Mooseheads 5
Stars: 3. Emile Duquet RIM | 2. Paulo Gualberto Jr HAL | 1. Shawn Carrier HAL
Attendance: 6,532
MC's Top Herd: Paulo Gualberto Jr. 

GAME LOG
First period
6:58 HAL Paulo Gualberto Jr. (1) | A: MacPherson & Doyle

Second period
8:36 RIM Lou Levesque (1) | A: None

13:22 HAL Cameron Minella (1) | A: McNab & Gaulberto Jr.

18:40 RIM Emile Duquet (4) | A: Dube & Romaniak

Third period
3:26 RIM Justin Beaulieu (1) | A: Duquet & Dube
7:13 HAL Shawn Carrier (3) | A: Phillips & Kennedy
17:46 HAL Connor MacPherson (2) | A: L'Italien
19:00 HAL Shawn Carrier (4), SH EN | A: None
19:31 RIM Logan Roop (2) | A: Czaja & Nappiot

Powerplay: RIM - 0-for-2; HAL - 0-for-0
Shots: 42-30 in favour of Halifax

Did not play - Alec Nesreddine (healthy), Lincoln Waugh (injured), Mathieu Taillefer (injured) & Antoine Fontaine (healthy)

Next game

Our Mooseheads will continue this six game homestand when they welcome the reigning champion Moncton Wildcats for 90's Night on Saturday. Puck drops at 7 p.m. 

QMJHL Names Scholastic POM

Every month, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League announces a Scholastic Player of the Month which recognizes a player on each team with his performance on ice and in the classroom. The player is selected based on their school results, their implication, the school-hockey conciliation, their team spirit and their on-ice performances. 

For your Halifax Mooseheads, Lincoln Waugh was named the Scholastic Player of the Month for September. 

Team		Player	Program	Academic Establishment
	Baie-Comeau Drakkar	Aiden Kirkwood	Grade 12	Northern Pre-University (NPU)
	Blainville-Boisbriand Armada	Théo Lemieux	Sciences humaines	CÉGEP de Terrebonne
	Cape Breton Eagles	Aiden McCullough	Independant	Cape Breton University
	Charlottetown Islanders	Anthony Flanagan	Grade 12	Ontario Virtual School
	Chicoutimi Saguenéens	Thomas Desruisseaux	Sciences humaines	CÉGEP de Chicoutimi
	Drummondville Voltigeurs	Owen Ronson	High School	Blyth Academy
	Gatineau Olympiques	Noah Florent	Grade 12	Northern Pre-University (NPU)
	Halifax Mooseheads	Lincoln Waugh	Business	University of Prince Edward Island
	Moncton Wildcats	Riley Sampson	Ingénierie	University of New Brunswick (UNB)
	Newfoundland Regiment	Chase Anderson	Business Administration	Acadia University
	Québec Remparts	Freddy Meyer	Grade 12	Nebraska University High School
	Rimouski Océanic	Mathys Dubé	Techniques policières	CÉGEP de Rimouski
	Rouyn-Noranda huskies	William Vézina	Sciences de la nature	CÉGEP de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue
	Shawinigan Cataractes	Noah McKinnon	Grade 12	Northern Pre-University (NPU)
	Sherbrooke Phoenix	Cameron Haye	Grade 11	Northern Pre-University (NPU)
	Saint John Sea Dogs	Dylan Rozzi	High School	Northern Pre-University (NPU)
	Val-d’Or Foreurs	Jacob Gouchie	Grade 12	Northern Pre-University (NPU)
	Victoriaville Tigres	Olivier Laverdière	Sciences humaines	CÉGEP de Victoriaville

NCAA season begins tonight

Photo - NCAA Hockey Facebook

This is not a post that I thought I would ever write but with the rule change back in 2024 that players who skated in the Canadian Hockey League could continue their careers in the NCAA, that is where we are. 

It is disappointing that these young men are not staying in Canada to play university hockey especially since as a fan, I would like to see them after they leave the Q however I understand. There are a handful of former Halifax Mooseheads players who will suit up for teams in the United States. 

Jacob Steinman - Bowling Green State Falcons (CCHL)

Mathis Rousseau - Maine Black Bears (Hockey East)

Brady Schultz - Quinnipiac Bobcats (ECAC Hockey)

Markus Vidicek - Quinnipiac Bobcats (ECAC Hockey)

Stephane Huard - Sacred Heart Pioneers (AHA)

Alex Carr - New Hampshire Wildcats (Hockey East)

This is the first full season that CHL players are able to play NCAA hockey. Markus Vidicek, Brady Schultz and Quinnipiac will visit Boston College to start the season on Friday. Also happening this evening, Alex Carr and New Hampshire are set to host Mathis Rousseau and Maine. Sacred Heart and Bowling Green begin their season on Saturday. 

Good luck to these guys during the season. 

Game Day 5: vs Drakkar

PREVIEW - Our Halifax Mooseheads welcome the last place Baie-Comeau Drakkar for the first student night of the season. This is also the first game against a Quebec province based team in 2025-26. Halifax will look to get back in the win column and end their four game home stand on a high note. Baie-Comeau is on a seven game road trip because their arena is getting renovated but have not gotten a victory yet. The Drakkar were close on Saturday though, losing 2-1 in a shootout and are last place as well in goals scored. It'll be important to get points in games like this before the holiday break for Halifax as it'll probably determine whether or not the Mooseheads make the playoffs. So grab some friends and take advantage of the $10 student tickets along with deals on alcohol tonight, if you are of age of course. 

Coverage
TV: FloHockey | Radio: News 95.7 | Live: @MC_MooseCountry

Overall records
Drakkar: 0-3-0-1 = 1 point (6th in East division, 18th overall)
Mooseheads: 2-2-0-0 = 4 points (5th in Maritimes division, 12th overall)

Leading scorers
HAL: Oleg Kulebyakin 4pts (2G & 2A), Shawn Carrier 3pts (2G & 1A), Quinn Kennedy 3pts (2G & 1A)
BAC: Charles-Louis Plourde 4pts (0G & 4A), Justin Gendron 2pts (1G & 1A), Alexis Michaud 2pts (1G & 1A)

Head-to-head
This is the first match of the season series between these two teams. Halifax had a 0-1-0-1 record against the Drakkar last season while Baie-Comeau went 2-0-0-0 versus the Mooseheads. Anthony Lavoie had a goal and an assist to propel the Drakkar to a 4-3 shootout victory in their last meeting on January 30. 

Out of town
Eagles vs. Sagueneens - 7:00 p.m.
Olympiques vs. Islanders - 8:00 p.m.

After the buzzer
Halifax will hit the road for a match up against the Moncton Wildcats at the Avenir Centre on October 5. Puck drops at 3:00 p.m. 

STATS SUNDAY: September

Games played: 4
Record: 2-2-0-0, 4pts
Goals for/against: 12/16
Powerplay: 19.1%
Penalty kill: 75.0%
Shutouts: None

Top 5 leading scorers
Points: Oleg Kulebiakin 4, Shawn Carrier 3, Quinn Kennedy 3, Jasu Mensonen 2, Will Bent 2
Goals: Oleg Kulebiakin 2, Shawn Carrier 2, Quinn Kennedy 2, Will Bent 1, Patrick McNab 1
Assists: Oleg Kulebiakin 2, Amelio Santini 2, Shawn Carrier 1, Quinn Kennedy 1, Will Bent 1
Penalty minutes: Daniel Walters 8, Eddy Doyle 6, Mathieu Taillefer 6, Oleg Kulebiakin 4, Quinn Kennedy 4
Plus/minus: Malik L'Italien +1, Patrick McNab +1, Junior Gualberto +1, Amelio Santini E, Justin Chiras E
Rookie scoring: Oleg Kulebiakin 4pts, Jasu Mensonen 2pts, Malik L'Italien 1pt

Goaltender stats
Owen Bresson     2-1-0-0     3.57 GAA     0.857 SAV%
Nicolas Cirka     0-1-0-0     4.17 GAA     0.846 SAV%

Game Day 3 & 4: vs Sea Dogs

PREVIEW - It's back to back home games for our Halifax Mooseheads against the Saint John Sea Dogs this weekend. The Sea Dogs updated their logo and jerseys before the start of the season in a move that the team is calling the #NextWave. Both teams are amidst a rebuild with Saint John winning the first overall pick at the 2025 draft where they selected forward Alexis Joseph. The rookie has yet to record his first point in the Q but we are only one weekend into the season. Halifax's rookie Jasu Mensonen will look to continue his good start after picking up a goal in both games against Charlottetown last week. I expect this will be another tight series between these two clubs, after they each won 4 out of eight games played in 2024-25. The Mooseheads should get some help in the scoring department as Liam Kilfoil, who led Halifax in scoring for most of last year, was released by the Detroit Red Wings from his tryout contract earlier this week. Not only do the Sea Dogs have the same records as well as goals for/against numbers but the teams are both led by first year players heading into tonight's match. 

Fans in Moose Country will get a rematch tomorrow night as Halifax hosts their first ever (I think) Country Night. I'm not sure what it is planned for the evening but it still should be a good way to spend a Saturday night. 

Coverage
TV: Eastlink | Radio: News 95.7 | Live: @MC_MooseCountry

Overall records
Sea Dogs: 1-1-0-0 = 2 points (3rd in Maritimes division, 8th overall)
Mooseheads: 1-1-0-0 = 2 points (5th in Maritimes division, 13th overall)

Leading scorers
HAL: Jasu Mensonen 2pts (2G & 0A), Shawn Carrier 2pts (1G & 1A), William Bent 1pt (1G & 1A)
SNB: Olivers Murnieks 3pts (0G & 3A), Elliot Dube 2pts (2G & 0A), Zachary Morin 2pts (1G & 1A)

Head-to-head
This is the first match of the season series between these two teams. Halifax had a 4-3-1-0 record versus the Sea Dogs in 2024-25 while Saint John went 4-4-0-0 against the Mooseheads. Their last match on March 8 saw our Herd lose 3-1 on home ice with Halifax goaltender Jacob Steinman earning 1st star honours after stopping 31 of the 33 Sea Dogs' shots. 

Out of town
Eagles vs. Wildcats - 7:00 p.m.
Huskies vs. Remparts - 8:00 p.m.
Olympiques vs. Drakkar - 8:00 p.m.
Armada vs. Cataractes - 8:00 p.m.
Phoenix vs. Voltigeurs - 8:00 p.m.

After the buzzer
Halifax's fifth game of the season will see the Baie-Comeau Drakkar coming to town for student night on October 2. Puck drops at 7 p.m.

Mensonen helps Herd get SO win

Rookie forward Jasu Mensonen has only played two matches but is showing that the North American game has not phased him. After scoring the lone goal in the season opener, the Imatra, Finland native got our Halifax Mooseheads on the board first in front of the fans at the Scotiabank Centre. He also scored the game winner to help the home team to a 5-4 shootout victory on Saturday night over the Charlottetown Islanders. It seemed like the Islanders were chasing the game but a two men advantage around the mid point of the first period gave the away team some life with Jude Herron scoring a PP goal and overage  forward Nathan Leek tied the natch up at 2 a few minutes later. Early in the middle frame, Quinn Kennedy gave Halifax back the lead. The Mooseheads looked to be in pretty control, outshooting Charlottetown 24-14 through 40 minutes. A short-handed goal by the Isles in the third tied the game again. Not very often do we see an extra frame in the home opener but we did tonight. A tripping penalty by rookie Oleg Kulebyakin had all the momentum in the overtime on the Islanders side as they outshot Halifax 6-0 but goaltender Owen Bresson stopped them all to send the match to a shootout. Mensonen was sent out as the second shooter and put it in while Kennedy also scored to secure the win for the good guys. 

FINAL: Islanders 4 at Mooseheads 5 SO
Stars: 3. Carlos Handel HAL | 2. Anthony Flanagan CHA | 1. Shawn Carrier HAL
Attendance: 8,205
MC's Top Herd: Quinn Kennedy

GAME LOG
First period
3:25 HAL Jasu Mensonen (2), PP | A: None
5:50 HAL William Bent (1) | A: None
10:01 CHA Jude Herron (1), PP | A: Chen & Watroba
13:41 CHA Nathan Leek (2) | A: Herron

Second period

0:59 HAL Quinn Kennedy (1) | A: Carrier & Kulebyakin

Third period
4:28 CHA Anthony Flanagan (1), SH | A: B. Peddle
14:34 HAL Shawn Carrier (1) | A: Doyle
15:09 CHA Anthony Flanagan (2) | A: Watroba 

Overtime
None

Shootout
HAL Bent        MISS           
CHA Flanagan         MISS
HAL Mensonen         GOAL       
CHA Campbell        MISS
HAL Kennedy       GOAL

Powerplay: CHA - 1-for-7; HAL 1-for-7
Shots: 41-26 in favour of Halifax

Did not play - Alec Nesreddine (healthy), Liam Kilfoil (NHL camp), Lincoln Waugh (injured), Junior Gualberto (healthy)

Next game
Halifax will welcome first overall pick Alexis Joseph and the Saint John Sea Dogs on Friday night. Puck drops at 7 p.m. 

Game Day 1: at Charlottetown

PREVIEW - The 2025-26 regular season begins tonight for our Halifax Mooseheads as they visit the Charlottetown Islanders. It will be the Islanders home opener at the Eastlink Centre, you can watch the game on Eastlink's Friday Night Hockey or the QMJHL's new webcast provider; FloHockey. Halifax was near the bottom of the age range last year and once again find themselves there, though they are somehow even younger this season than the 2024-25 season. Despite that, they do come in to the new season with more experience especially in the playoffs where the Mooseheads defeated one of the top teams as the 16th seed. They'll look to improve their record and I can't imagine them not doing so. Charlottetown had the upper hand last season but are going to be without captain Marcus Kearsey and Owen Conrad because of NHL camps this weekend so if the Herd want to get an advantage, now is the time. However, Halifax will also be without a player as Liam Kilfoil is participating in Detroit Red Wings camp. Get excited Moose Country, it's time for the games that matter. 

Coverage
TV: Eastlink | Radio: News 95.7 | Live: @HFXMooseheads

Overall records
Mooseheads: 0-0-0-0 = 0 points 
Islanders: 0-0-0-0 = 0 points

Leading scorers
CHA: n/a
HAL: n/a

Head-to-head
This is the first match of the season series between these two teams. Halifax had a 3-4-0-1 record versus the Islanders in 2024-25 while Charlottetown went 5-2-0-1 against the Mooseheads. Their last battle was on March 22 where the Charlottetown Islanders defeated the home Mooseheads 3-2 in a shootout in Halifax. 

Out of town
Regiment vs. Wildcats - 6:30 p.m. 
Sea Dogs vs. Eagles - 7:00 p.m.
Oceanic vs. Drakkar - 8:00 p.m.
Huskies vs. Armada - 8:00 p.m.
Foreurs vs. Olympiques - 8:00 p.m.
Cataractes vs. Tigres - 8:00 p.m.
Voltigeurs vs. Sagueneens - 8:00 p.m.
Phoenix vs. Remparts - 8:00 p.m.

After the buzzer
Halifax will play their home opener on Saturday night in a rematch against the Charlottetown Islanders. Puck drops at 7:00 p.m.

Several alumni at NHL main camps

There are a number of young men on NHL teams main camp rosters that have suited up for the Halifax Mooseheads sometime in their career. Out of the two current Herd players that were invited to rookie camps last weekend, Kilfoil made the main camp. 

Justin Barron - Nashville Predators
Mathieu Cataford - Vegas Golden Knights
Elliot Desnoyers - Minnesota Wild
Jonathan Drouin - New York Islanders
Jordan Dumais - Columbus Blue Jackets
Nikolaj Ehlers - Carolina Hurricanes
Cavan Fitzgerald - Chicago Blackhawks
Martin Frk - Calgary Flames
Jake Furlong - San Jose Sharks
Benoit-Olivier Groulx - Toronto Maple Leafs
Nico Hischier - New Jersey Devils
Liam Kilfoil - Detroit Red Wings
Zachary L'Heureux - Nashville Predators
Raphael Lavoie - Vegas Golden Knights
Nathan MacKinnon - Colorado Avalanche
Brad Marchand - Florida Panthers
Timo Meier - New Jersey Devils
Xavier Parent - New Jersey Devils
Mackenzie Weegar - Calgary Flames

Check out each club's social media accounts for updates throughout the next few weeks. I will make a post of where alumni have landed this season late next month. Good luck to all the players at their respective training camps. 

Next QMJHL Draft to be in Halifax

The QMJHL Commissioner held a press conference on Tuesday morning to launch the 2025-26 season and made a few announcements. 

Among the news shared was that our Halifax Mooseheads will officially host the 2026 Entry Draft on June 5 and 6 at the Scotiabank Centre. The first round is set to take place on Friday evening while round 2 to 12 will be held on Saturday. It is the first time in franchise history Halifax will welcome the 17 other teams for this annual event. 

Photo - Mooseheads website

Halifax currently own two picks in the first round in 2026 - their own and the first pick of the Rimouski Oceanic. 

"The QMJHL is very pleased and excited to hold its 2026 Draft presented by Fenplast in the beautiful city of Halifax, a very important market in our league," said the commissioner, Mario Cecchini. "The players, families and teams present at the Draft will be able to fully enjoy the beautiful attractions of the city."

"We are thrilled to be able to bring this event to Halifax, especially for our deserving fans who will no doubt make this the most exciting draft in QMJHL history," said Chairman/Owner Sam Simon and Peter Simon, President of Simon Sports. 

I'm sure more information on how fans can enjoy this free event will be made available next spring when it is closer to the draft. 

Herd Word

Photo - Trevor MacMillan via The Hockey News

It's opening week finally.

The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League regular season begins this week when the defending league champion Moncton Wildcats visit the Newfoundland Regiment on Thursday night. It will be the first QMJHL game in St. John's since 2008. 

Our Halifax Mooseheads will play a home-and-home series against the Charlottetown Islanders this weekend to start the year, opening up on the road before hosting their home opener on September 20. 

Photo - Crushers Facebook

MHL SEASON UNDERWAY
The Maritime Junior A Hockey League regular season got underway this past Thursday and there are a number of Herd alumni playing in the league. Defenseman Dominic MacKenzie along with forwards Logan Crosby and Cade Moser will suit up with the Pictou County Crushers while the Truro Bearcats have forwards Liam Welsh, Jake Todd and Callum Aucoin on their roster. 

Halifax affiliate players Cole Bent (Valley), Tucker Makinen (Yarmouth), Ryan Fletcher (Valley), Jameson George (Chaleur), Aidan Bent (Valley) and Cole MacLeod (Yarmouth) have also been named to rosters. 

19-year-old Logan Crosby, who played 163 games with the Mooseheads before being traded to the Moncton Wildcats, will wear the C on his chest for the Crushers after being named captain on September 11. In his third season with the Bearcats, Liam Welsh, 20, was given the C while Jake Todd was named an assistant captain on the Truro club. 

KILFOIL SCORES
While participating in Detroit Red Wings camp, forward Liam Kilfoil scored a really nice goal in the Wings' 6-5 loss against the Dallas Stars prospects on Sunday. 

Detroit has not announced their main camp roster so I am not sure if Kilfoil has been invited but I haven't seen the team announce they have released him either. 

A beauty from Liam Kilfoil pic.twitter.com/A0CoJaKTAK

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 15, 2025

SIMONS PUTTING UP MONEY
Back in June, it was announced that the Halifax Mooseheads were asking the Halifax regional council for a loan worth about 1.5 million dollars to build a 4,720-square-foot training facility extension to the RBC Centre in Dartmouth. The council said they would look into it but as of September, had not made a decision. 

Well now, the clubs owners, Simon Sports, are saying they will be willing to pay for the full price of the construction. There are still questions and the final plan needs to be given the green light by the council either way it sounds like. Even once it is, the facility wouldn't be complete for another additional year or so. For the full story, click here. 

QMJHL FIGHT
After not being offered an entry level contract by the Nashville Predators who drafted him in 2023, former Moose defenseman Dylan MacKinnon was invited to Boston Bruins rookie camp over the weekend. The Bruins participated in the two-game Prospects Challenge hosted by Buffalo. During the team's game against New Jersey, MacKinnon fought fellow Q alumnus Cam Squires. 

ARENA UPGRADES
Talking about the home opener, fans should expect to see some changes when they head to the Scotiabank Centre on Saturday evening. A new public address system has been added to the facility, along with new interior and exterior digital signage. There will be new concessions offerings though no more info is given. Work is also currently being completed on a new state-of-the-art player area for the Mooseheads players and coaching stuff which is slated to open later this fall according to the article released by the team. 

Scotiabank renewed its naming rights partnership with the arena back in the spring and it was long rumoured (or known) that upgrades would be made once again to the almost 50 year old building. 

"We're excited to start a new season with our incredible fans. There are many new additions to the fan experience that we are looking forward to sharing with them. We have a great young team and we can't wait for all of us to be together again on Saturday night in Moose Country," said President Brian Urquhart. 

CHL TOP 10 
While our Mooseheads did not make the pre-season top 10 rankings, I thought I would share them for anybody who is interested. 
1. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 
2. Brantford Bulldogs 
3. Spokane Chiefs 
4. Chicoutimi Sagueneens 
5. Windsor Spitfires
6. Edmonton Oilers
7. Kitchener Rangers
8. Moncton Wildcats
9. Kelowna Rockets
10. Niagara IceDogs

Other things..

• This is a little late but I wanted to still share it anyways. Nova Scotia was well represented at Hockey Canada's Olympics orientation camp in late August & the four players attending got together for a picture.

  

  'Coupla bluenosers' Marchand, Turnbull, Crosby & MacKinnon
  Photo - Blayre Turnbull's Instagram

  
  
• FloHockey lists Halifax forward Liam Kilfoil as one of top future NHL prospects to watch in the QMJHL this year. Kilfoil went undrafted in 2025 but is eligible again for the 2026 entry draft. 
• Pictou County's Logan Crosby (3G & 1A) and Cade Moser (1G & 3A) have started the MHL season on a good note, with both recording 4 points each in 2 games. Jake Todd had two goals for Truro over the weekend. 
• On September 4, it was announced that the Guelph Storm and Kitchener Rangers were named the finalists to host the 2027 Memorial Cup. 

Moose Announce Leadership Group

Photo - Mooseheads Facebook
Kilfoil currently at NHL camp

The Halifax Mooseheads announced their leadership group for the 2025-26 QMJHL season on Saturday and 19-year-old forward Owen Phillips was presented with the C on his jersey. 

Phillips, a native of Halifax, NS, was originally drafted in the 2022 QMJHL Entry Draft seventh overall by the Mooseheads and is entering his fourth season with his hometown club. In his first 189 games played, he has scored 11 goals and picked up 51 points with an additional 9 points in 36 playoff games. 

Head coach Brad MacKenzie presented the leadership group, which also includes Liam Kilfoil (18), Mathieu Taillefer (19) and Quinn Kennedy (19) as alternates, with their updated sweaters during a team meeting. You can see the announcement below in a new episode of Moose Tracks Uncharted. 

Moose Tracks Uncharted - The Letters

Watch with us as our leadership group is announced for the 2025-26 season. #GoMooseGo pic.twitter.com/u44hMOilhS

— Halifax Mooseheads (@HFXMooseheads) September 13, 2025

A big congratulations to Owen and the three other guys on being given a letter for this year. 

#Our18: Halifax Mooseheads

Photo - QMJHL website

The QMJHL has been doing previews for each of their 18 clubs this month and on Monday, it was our Halifax Mooseheads' turn. 

From the website

• What can we expect from the returnees?

It’s a good thing players wear their names on the back of their sweaters because fans in Halifax had to learn a lot of new ones last year. By the end of the campaign, they were not only known but remembered as the first sixteenth seeded team to win a playoff round in QMJHL history. This year, 17 of those players return, including the top three scorers in Quinn Kennedy, Liam Kilfoil and Shawn Carrier. Daniel Walters appears ready to take the next step in his ‘Q” career after being drafted in the first round of the 2024 QMJHL Draft. German Carlos Handel took on some tough assignments as a rookie blueliner last year but turned enough heads to get selected by the Montreal Canadiens at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Joining him on the blue line once again is Owen Phillips, who will be one of several Moose stepping into higher leverage roles this season. There is no doubt, this group that made history last year is ready to make a charge up the standings.

• How will a few strategic additions bolster this roster?

Though there wasn’t much room for newcomers to this squad, those who are new on the scene will likely impress right away. Connor MacPherson represents the lone 20-year-old on the club to start the season. Known for his heavy shot and a strong cycle game, the winger from Windsor, Ontario literally worked his way across the country by way of the BCHL Penticton Vees and the University of New Hampshire to arrive in Moose Country. Wingers Oleg Kulebyakin and Jasu Mensonen make their debuts following their selections at the 2025 CHL Import Draft. Third overall selection from last June’s QMJHL Draft, Malik L’Italien, is a puck-moving left shot defenseman with size while Paulo Gualberto Jr., another 2025 draftee, has been a scoring machine at the U-14 and U-15 levels in Massachusetts.

 

• How will the new goaltending tandem perform?

The most valuable piece of a very memorable season in Moose Country was netminder Jacob Steinman, acquired at the trade deadline in a deal that saw franchise favorite Mathis Rousseau head to Moncton. With last year’s Patrick-Roy Trophy winner off to the NCAA ranks, the reins are now passed off the Owen Bresson, acquired from the Shawinigan Cataractes last month. There’s still going to be a familiar face in the crease on a number of nights however, as Nicolas Gillham-Cirka returns after serving as an understudy to both Rousseau and Steinman on a rebuilding squad while also performing solidly in a pair of relief appearances during the postseason.

 

_

2024-2025 Stats:

Team Record	19-35-8-2 (48 points)
Division Ranking	5th Maritimes
Overall Ranking	16th
Goals For	155 (17th)
Goals Against	231 (13th)
PP (Overall)	17.4% (15th)
PK (Overall)	76.9% (T-12th)
Leading Rookie (PTS)	Handel (3-23-26)
Leading Scorers (PTS)	Kennedy (24-23-47)
	Kilfoil (21-25-46)
	Carrier (18-26-44)
	Schultz (7-23-30)
	MacPhee (16-12-28)

Check out the highlights from the 2024-25 season below. 

Herd Word

Most of these I wanted to share but didn't really feel like they were enough to make full posts about so hence this Herd Word. You've probably seen a lot of this info however for those who haven't, here you go.  

GURSOY

Photo - Walleye website

Halifax Mooseheads alumni Kevin Gursoy has signed a contract with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL. This will be Gursoy's first professional season after spending the last five years at the university level with the Ryerson Rams and TMU Bold. He really excelled during the 2023-24 season, scoring 15 goals and 30 points in 28 games played. The 26-year-old had 84 points over his collegiate career after suiting up for 30 games with the Herd in 2020. 

Good luck to Kevin in Toledo. 

MOOSE UNCHARTED
Halifax has been doing something different this summer, sharing some short behind the scenes videos and calling them Moose Tracks Uncharted. The latest one looked into the on and off-ice tests that the boys had to go through recently. 

Check out the rest of clips on the team's YouTube channel. 

FLO HOCKEY
The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League has decided to switch up their streaming services and go with the company Flo Hockey, which streams thousands of games from the OHL, AHL, ECHL and other junior leagues. Fans can subscribe monthly or annually on the company's website, it sounds like with a subscription you get access to not just the Q matches but all the games available in your region. Mooseheads season ticket holders will get a 20% discount as a benefit. 

SINGLE GAME TICKETS
Tickets for the regular season will go on sale tomorrow September 9 at 11 a.m. You can buy tickets to all 32 games on ticketmaster.ca or going to the Scotiabank Centre box office. See prices below;

                        Lower    Upper
Adult                 $26        $22
Senior                $24        $20
Student              $18        $14
Youth                 $14        $12

Senior is 60 and over, youth is 12 and under.
Taxes included. Service charge not included.

Photo - Herd Facebook

FULL PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE
I have already shared the normal annual events in a different post but since the team has officially announced their promotional schedule. I'll also have it on the 'Schedule' tab above. 

Home Opener            September 20     Charlottetown Islanders
Country Night            September 27    Saint John Sea Dogs
90's Night                   October 11        Moncton Wildcats
DND Appreciation     October 25         Cape Breton Eagles
Kid's Day                   November 9       Charlottetown Islanders
Weiner Dog Races     November 15    Moncton Wildcats
Toque Toss                December 6        Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
Toy Drive                   December 7        Val-d'Or Foreurs
Girl Guides Day        January 25          Drummondville Voltigeurs
Moose Fight Cancer  February 13        Moncton Wildcats
Scouts Canada Day    March 1              Quebec Remparts
Fan Appreciation        March 6             Cape Breton Eagles

STUDENT NIGHTS
Thought I would do a separate entry for the student nights. Students can get tickets during Thursday night matches for just $10 and have a chance to win in-game prizes. Games include October 2 vs. Baie-Comeau, October 9 vs. Rimouski, December 11 vs. Charlottetown, December 18 vs. Saint John, January 15 vs. Chicoutimi, February 12 vs. Shawinigan and March 5 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand. 

NHL ROOKIE CAMPS
A couple of current Herd players and three alumni will be participating in rookie camps over the next few weeks.
Liam Kilfoil - Detroit Red Wings 
Carlos Handel - Montreal Canadiens 
Jake Furlong - San Jose Sharks
Dylan MacKinnon - Boston Bruins 
Mathieu Cataford - Vegas Golden Knights

Good luck to the four players at camp. If I've missed anyone, please let me know.

MOOSE & MILITARY
Our Halifax Mooseheads have had a long history of supporting the Royal Canadian Navy, mainly CFB Halifax here in Nova Scotia. Last month, this year's team visited HMCS Frederick Rolette and met with the personnel on the ship. The players explored many areas on the vessel.