‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.’
That very well might have been the mantra that Winnipeg Jets’ 2014 5th round pick (No. 129 overall) C.J. Suess went into the 2023 offseason carrying.
Following just one year away from the Jets organization, the 29-year-old Minnesota product is returning home - or at least about as close to home as one could get. This week, the Manitoba Moose announced a two-year AHL contract for Suess, running through the 2024-25 season.
Having suited up for the Moose in parts of five seasons from 2018-22, the former Minnesota State University captain opted to sign a one-year deal in San Jose with the Sharks for 2022-23. He managed to draw into the lineup for just one game, while spending the majority of the year with the AHL’s Barracuda.
Suess did manage 10 goals and 22 points in 46 games for the Barracuda, while collecting a single penalty and a -1 rating in his one game in the big leagues.
Through his previous five years within the Jets organization, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound shooter made his way into four NHL contests, but is still searching for his first point.
In his previous 166 games with the Moose, Suess put up 45 goals and 38 assists for 83 points to go alongside 67 penalty minutes. He owns another goal and three points in eight Calder Cup Playoff games with Manitoba.
Following the 2020-21 season, Suess was presented with the team’s Julian Klymkiw Community Service Award for his work within the local community, preventing captain Jimmy Oligny from taking home the trophy for four-straight seasons (2020, 2022, 2023).