The Manitoba Moose had a remarkable first 28 games of the season in 2025-2026. The team had 15 wins and were in second place in the Central Division going into the Christmas break, but many of the headlines focused on three players in particular.
Beaten up with the parent club Winnipeg Jets, defenseman Elias Salomonsson and goalkeeper Thomas Milic were given the opportunity to make their NHL debut. Then, netminder Domenic DiVincentiis earned his first call up as Moose alumnus Eric Comrie’s backup for a pair of games.
Salomonsson and Milic made their respective debuts in consecutive matches. Salomonsson skated in his first NHL game against the vaunted Washington Capitals offense at Capital One Arena on November 26. Milic was tasked with a tough road game against the ruthless Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center on November 28.
Salomonsson, a 2022 second-round pick of the Jets, recounted the moment he stepped on the ice for the traditional rookie solo round in Washington.
“That was actually the first thing I thought of: Don’t fall,” Salomonsson laughed with reporters after his debut. “It was great. Of course, a lot of emotions. You only do that once, so it was a lot of fun.”
The product from Skellefteå, Sweden, appeared in four games with the big club and had an average ice time of 14:44. Salomonsson came within inches of scoring his first NHL goal, firing off the post in his second game while facing Carolina.
The defenseman was grateful for his experience skating in the NHL.
“It meant a lot,” Salomonsson said. “This is something I’ve always chased since I was a little kid.”
With an injury to Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyckanother Moose graduate, Manitoba’s current goaltending duo, each got some time across the hall.
Milic turned away 30 shots in his first game, including 26 of the Hurricanes’ first 28 attempts on target. Although it ultimately culminated in a loss on the 22-year-old’s record, it was an experience he will never forget.
“It was cool, there was a lot of excitement beforehand,” Milic said of his debut. “My parents and some other family and friends came over. I think a lot of it was for them. It was super special. They all helped me get to this point. I just wanted to do my best for them and also do my best for myself.”
The Coquitlam, BC native saw relief action in two more games before being loaned back to the Moose on December 8. In a corresponding move, the Jets recalled DiVincentiis as the young netminders traded places in the NHL locker room.
“It was a dream come true,” DiVincentiis said. “Obviously, being called back to the NHL is a kid’s dream and to be able to do that was incredible. It was really special for me to be able to have my family come and share those days with them and come watch practices. Just be able to give back for all the things they’ve done for me.”
There’s always friendly competition between the pair of Jets prospect netminders, but underneath that lies a deeper level of support.
“I was so excited for him,” Milic said of DiVincentiis’ call-up. “I was very excited for him. I’ve said it countless times, but it’s great
cool to have a guy like that. We are at similar stages in our careers and share many new experiences.
“No matter what happens, whoever is playing, we are always there for each other and cheering each other on, but we are also fighting,” Milic added. “We fight for games every night, so we do our best to keep that healthy competition going.”
Although DiVincentiis failed to play a game before being loaned back to the Moose on December 14, the short stint each goalie got with the Jets was a valuable experience.
“It’s pretty special to get on the ice with these guys, learn from them and expand the toolbox,” explains the Bolton, Ontario native. “There’s never going to be a day where you stop learning in this game. So for me, it’s getting that one percent better every day, learning from those guys out there, and just being able to come back (to the Moose) and put them into my game.”
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