The Manitoba Moose will be adding some additional Manitoban flavour for 2023-24.
The club has announced the signing of Foxwarren product Dawson Barteaux to a one-year, American Hockey League contract.
Originally drafted 168th overall by the Dallas Stars in the sixth round of the 2018 NHL Draft, the 23-year-old Barteaux will look for a fresh start in his home province.
Having played both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons within the AHL for the Texas Stars, Barteaux only suited up in two AHL games last year, as he spent most of his time with the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads.
He had two goals, 24 points and 34 penalty minutes in 62 regular season games for Idaho, before putting up another goal, eight points and four penalty minutes in 14 playoff games.
Barteaux did join Texas for the Calder Cup Playoffs, where he scored once and added an assist in five games for the Stars. He has yet to skate in an NHL contest.
Foxwarren - a southwestern Manitoba community of roughly 50 people - is situated approximately 3.5 hours west of Winnipeg and serves as Barteaux's hometown. He played his AAA hockey with the Yellowhead Chiefs before joining the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League in 2016.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound defender played the majority of his junior career with the Red Deer Rebels, before coming over to the Winnipeg ICE to conclude his WHL career. He had 20 total goals, 112 points and 74 penalty minutes in 236 regular season games.
Alongside Barteaux, the Moose also announced the re-signing of fellow defender and Portage la Prairie product Dean Stewart for the 2023-24 season.