Jets expect Ville Heinola back shortly
Ville Heinola is closing in on a return to the Winnipeg Jets.
admin
Ville Heinola is closing in on a return to the Winnipeg Jets.
The defenceman was loaned to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose for conditioning purposes on Monday, but Jets coach Scott Arniel told reporters on Tuesday the stint won’t last the full two weeks.
The Jets are hopeful Heinola will join the team for a trip to Minnesota next Monday.
The team announced in camp that Heinola had an infection in the same ankle he had surgically repaired last season.
In his five professional seasons, Heinola has struggled with injuries, including the fractured ankle that he suffered in the 2023-24 pre-season that forced him to miss the beginning of the season.
The Honkajoki, Finland, native did manage to suit up for 41 games with the Moose last season, and recorded 10 goals and 17 assists as well as two assists in two playoff games.
This off-season, the Jets re-signed the defenceman to a two-year, $1.6-million contract. Over 35 career NHL games, the Jets’ 20th-overall pick in the 2019 NHL draft has one goal and 10 assists.
