What happened: The Jets and Manitoba Moose established an affiliation agreement with the Bloomington Bison. The newly formed Illinois-based ECHL franchise joins the developmental pipeline ahead of the 2026-27 season. This structure finalizes the minor league hierarchy for the organization.

Why it matters: Securing a dedicated ECHL partner provides management with improved control over prospect assignments. It ensures younger players develop within a consistent tactical system before reaching the AHL level. The alignment matches standard developmental models utilized across professional hockey.

What to watch: The Bison will construct their inaugural roster throughout the summer. Minor league assignments from the parent club are expected closer to training camp.