As the Halifax Mooseheads prepare for their home opener on September 19, they are striving to complete an impressive preseason run by facing off against the Saint John Sea Dogs on Friday. The Mooseheads began their preseason on a challenging note with a 5-1 loss to the Cape Breton Eagles. However, they quickly rebounded with four consecutive victories, showcasing their scoring prowess by registering seven or more goals in two of those matches.
This preseason success can be attributed to a collective team effort, as 13 different players contributed multiple points during the four-game winning streak. Among the standout performances was that of Mateo Nobert, an 18-year-old forward from Beaconsfield, Quebec. Nobert made a significant impact after joining the team through an offseason trade, scoring three goals in just two preseason games, including a notable three-point outing against Saint John on September 4.
The Mooseheads have also benefited from the excellent goaltending of Jack Fichthorn, a 19-year-old from Darien, Connecticut, who was selected in the 2026 QMJHL draft. Fichthorn won both of his starts during the preseason, stopping 56 of the 59 shots on goal he faced, solidifying his position as a reliable presence in net.
Coming off a 2025-26 season where they finished with a .500 record—placing them 12th among 18 teams in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League—the Mooseheads are looking to make a significant improvement in the upcoming campaign. Their final preseason game took place on September 11 at Dartmouth's RBC Centre, marking their sixth different venue in six games. They aimed to secure their fifth straight victory against the Sea Dogs, with the puck scheduled to drop at 6:00 p.m.
As the Mooseheads gear up for their home opener against the Moncton Wildcats, they face a formidable challenge. The Wildcats are no strangers to success, having reached the QMJHL finals in back-to-back seasons, including a league championship win in 2025. Puck drop for this highly anticipated matchup is set for 7:00 p.m. on September 19 at Scotiabank Centre.
Fans can purchase tickets for the home opener online via Ticketmaster, creating excitement for what promises to be an exhilarating start to the 2026-27 season for the Halifax Mooseheads.
