Author: Frankie Benvenuti | AHL Rhythm
The Manitoba Moose are looking strong through their first 28 games of the 2025-26 season. The team entered the Christmas break with 15 wins and second in the Central Division, but many of the headlines focused on three players.
With parent team Winnipeg Jets taking a hit, linebacker Elias Salomonsson and goalkeeper Thomas Millidge Got the chance to make his NHL debut. So, the network administrator Domenico DiVincentis Earned his first call-up, filling in for Moose alumnus Eric Comrie in two games.
Salomonsen and Milic made their debuts in back-to-back games. Salomonson played his first NHL game on November 26 at Capital One Arena against the offensively vaunted Washington Capitals. Millic is tasked with a tough road game against the ruthless Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 28 at the Legend Center.
Salomonson, the Jets' second-round pick in 2022, talks about the moment he stepped on the ice for Washington's traditional rookie lap.
“That was actually the first thing that came to my mind: don't fall,” Salomonson told reporters with a smile after his debut. “It's awesome. Of course, there's a lot of emotion. You only do it once, so it's fun.”
The product from Skellefteå, Sweden, appeared in four games with the big club, averaging 14 minutes and 44 seconds. Salomonson hit the post in his second game against Carolina, coming within an inch of his first NHL goal.
The defenseman expressed gratitude for his experience skating in the NHL.
“It means a lot,” Solomonson said. “This is something I’ve been pursuing since I was a kid.”
Jets goalie injured Connor HellebackAnother Moose graduate, Manitoba's current goaltending duo each had some time walking through the hallways.
Milic stopped 30 shots in his first game, including 26 of the Hurricanes' first 28 shots. Although it ended up being a 22-year-old's record, it was an experience he would never forget.
“It was cool, there was a lot of excitement beforehand,” Millic said of his debut. “I had my parents come in and some other family and friends. I think a lot of it was for them. It's very special. They all helped me get to this point. I just want to do the best I can for them and the best I can for myself.”
The Coquitlam, British Columbia, native played two more games before being loaned back to the Moose on December 8. In a corresponding move, the Jets recalled DiVincentis, and the young defensemen swapped places in the NHL locker room.
“This is a dream come true,” DiVincentis said. “Obviously, it's a dream for kids to get called up to the NHL and to be able to do that is unbelievable. To be able to have my family come down and share those days with them and have them come watch practice is very special to me. To be able to repay them for everything they've done for me.”
There's always been a friendly rivalry between the Jets' two potential netminders, but underneath it all, there's something deeper.
“I’m very excited for him,” Milic said of DiVincentis’ call-up. “I'm really excited for him. I've said it countless times, but this is awesome
It's great to have people like that. We were at a similar stage in our careers and starting to share a lot of new experiences.
“No matter what happens, no matter who is playing, we always support each other and cheer each other on, but we also fight,” Milic added. “We're competing every night, so we're doing our best to maintain a healthy competition.”
Although DiVincentis did not play a game before being loaned back to the Moose on December 14, each goalkeeper's brief stay with the Jets was valuable experience.
“Being able to be on the ice with these guys and learn from them and expand your toolbox is pretty special,” explained the Bolton, Ont., native. “You never have a day where you stop learning in this game. So for me, it's just getting better one percent every day, learning from those guys and then being able to come back (to the Moose) and incorporate them into my game.”
