The Halifax Mooseheads will wrap up a strong preseason this week as they prepare for a home-opener that could set the tone for the 2026-27 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League campaign. Halifax faces Saint John on Sept. 11 at Dartmouth’s RBC Centre to complete a five-game exhibition slate that followed an opening-night loss to Cape Breton.
Preseason form and standouts
After a 5-1 setback to the Cape Breton Eagles in their first outing, the Mooseheads have responded emphatically with four straight victories. The run has been balanced across the roster, with 13 different players recording multi-point games during the streak.
- Record: 4-1 in preseason so far.
- Offence: Two of the wins included games in which Halifax scored seven or more goals.
- Goaltending: Rookie pick-up Jack Fichthorn has started twice and won both starts, stopping 56 of 59 shots faced across those appearances.
One of the flashiest new additions has been 18-year-old forward Mateo Nobert of Beaconsfield, Que. The offseason trade acquisition has produced three goals across two preseason games, including a three-point night against Saint John on Sept. 4.
“The team effort has shown up across the lineup,” the club noted in a game release, highlighting the depth contributors during the stretch.
Looking back and looking ahead
The Mooseheads are aiming to build on a 2025-26 season that ended with a .500 record, leaving them 12th among the league’s 18 clubs. Management and fans will be watching to see if the preseason offence and reliable goaltending translate into a stronger regular-season placement.
Halifax’s regular-season opener at the Scotiabank Centre is set for Sept. 19 at 7:00 p.m., when the Mooseheads host a Moncton Wildcats side fresh off back-to-back QMJHL finals appearances and the 2025 league title. That matchup will test Halifax’s early momentum against a veteran, championship-calibre opponent.
Practical details for fans
The final preseason game on Sept. 11 is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the RBC Centre in Dartmouth — the sixth different venue the club has used during preseason. Tickets for the Sept. 19 home opener are available through Ticketmaster.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Preseason record (to date) | 4-1 |
| Preseason conclusion | Sept. 11, 6:00 p.m., RBC Centre, Dartmouth |
| Regular-season home opener | Sept. 19, 7:00 p.m., Scotiabank Centre vs. Moncton Wildcats |
With exhibition play completed, coaching staff will have tougher decisions to make about the opening-night lineup. The early returns suggest a deeper offensive group and a goaltender in Fichthorn who has inspired confidence in his brief appearances. Yet the true measure will come against Moncton, whose recent playoff pedigree offers a stern barometer for Halifax’s readiness.
For local fans, the next month promises a fuller schedule of downtown attractions tied to game nights and community engagement from the team. How the Mooseheads translate preseason chemistry into sustained regular-season performance will be the storyline Halifax follows closely as the QMJHL season gets under way.
