Full Breakdown
Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose Partner with Bloomington Bison as ECHL Affiliate for 2026-27
7/10/2026, 12:18:43 PM
New ECHL Affiliation Announced
On July 8, 2026 the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, disclosed a formal affiliation agreement with the Bloomington Bison for the 2026-27 season. The partnership designates the Bison as the Jets’ ECHL affiliate, replacing the previous arrangement with the Norfolk Admirals. The Bison will open their third season on Oct. 17, 2026 against the Kalamazoo Wings at Grossinger Motors Arena.
Background and Recent Performance
The Bloomington Bison entered ECHL play in the 2024-25 season, spending their first two years aligned with the New York Rangers and Hartford Wolf Pack. In 2025-26 the Bison posted a 37-30-5 record, qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the first time, and earned their inaugural postseason win (5-3 over the Toledo Walleye on Apr. 29). The Manitoba Moose improved by ten wins and 22 points in 2025-26, reaching the Calder Cup Playoffs. The Jets, winners of the President’s Trophy in 2024-25, have a long-standing reputation for developing NHL talent through their minor-league system.
Key Figures and Their Statements
- Craig Heisinger, Senior Vice President & Director of Hockey Operations/Assistant General Manager of the Jets and General Manager of the Moose, highlighted the Bison’s recent playoff success as a factor in the partnership.
- Andy Zilch, President of the Bloomington Bison, emphasized alignment of organizational values and the opportunity for player growth.
- Phillip Barski, Head Coach of the Bison, noted the focus on “alignment, communication, player development and a shared commitment to winning” in selecting the Jets-Moose system.
Implications for Player Development
The affiliation creates a clear development pipeline: prospects can advance from the ECHL Bison to the AHL Moose and potentially to the NHL Jets. Recent examples include Thomas Milic, a 2023-24 fifth-round draft pick who progressed from the Norfolk Admirals (ECHL) to the Moose (AHL) and made his NHL debut with Winnipeg in 2025-26. Additional prospects such as goaltender Isaac Poulter and forward Jacob Julien have similarly split time between the ECHL and AHL, underscoring the pathway the new partnership intends to strengthen.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are excited to begin this new partnership with the Bloomington Bison,” — Craig Heisinger, Senior Vice President & Director of Hockey Operations/Assistant General Manager, Winnipeg Jets
- “The Bison have already shown their commitment to success on the ice, reaching the playoffs in their second season of operation.” — Craig Heisinger
- “I’m thrilled for the next step in growing our organization,” — Andy Zilch, President, Bloomington Bison
- “This is an important step forward for the Bloomington Bison,” — Phillip Barski, Head Coach, Bloomington Bison
