The Bloomington Bison have announced a new affiliate agreement that links the ECHL club directly with the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets and the AHL’s Manitoba Moose, a move designed to accelerate player development and broaden opportunities for the team’s roster.
A Strategic Partnership for Development
Under the agreement, the Bison will serve as a feeder system for the Jets and the Moose, giving prospects a clear pathway to professional hockey while retaining a local fan base that has embraced the club since its inception.
The Jets, who captured the President’s Trophy as the NHL’s regular‑season champions in the 2024‑25 campaign, bring a culture of excellence that has been recognized league‑wide for its player‑development pipeline.
The Moose, meanwhile, have surged in the 2025‑26 season, posting a 10‑win improvement and climbing 22 points to secure a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs, underscoring the effectiveness of their own development program.
The affiliation also revives a storied connection between Winnipeg and its hockey heritage; the franchise first entered the World Hockey Association in 1972 before joining the NHL in 1979, relocating from Atlanta in 2011 and establishing a deep‑rooted identity in the city.
Among the prospects eyeing a breakout, Thomas Milic has emerged as a standout, having risen from the ECHL’s Norfolk Admirals to the NHL after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Draft.
Milic’s journey includes 36 ECHL appearances and 54 AHL games with Manitoba, culminating in an NHL debut with the Jets and 41 AHL games with the Moose last season.
Other names on the rise include goaltender Domenic DiVincentiis and forward Jacob Julien, both drafted in 2022 and 2023 respectively, as well as net‑minder Isaac Poulter, who recently re‑signed with the Jets and posted a 2‑0 record with a 2.76 goals‑against average for the Moose.
Additional talent sharing time between the AHL and ECHL last season features defenseman Dawson Barteaux and forward Chase Yoder, adding depth to a pipeline that the Bison hope will translate into more winning seasons.
The partnership also nods to the Bison’s recent history as the ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and Hartford Wolf Pack during their first two seasons, a relationship that now expands into a multi‑tiered development network.
Fans can look forward to a new era where the Bison benefit from the expertise of the Jets and Moose, a collaboration that promises not only on‑ice growth but also stronger community ties across Illinois and beyond.