Winnipeg Jets Activate Ville Heinola on Injured Reserve and Assign Manitoba Moose to Conditioning Stint – Hockey Writers – Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets placed defenseman Ville Heinola on injured reserve and assigned him to the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Manitoba Moose for conditioning purposes.

The 2019 first-round pick had to undergo surgery before the season to repair an infected screw in his ankle he had surgery on in 2023 after breaking it in the Jets’ final preseason game. A broken ankle robbed him of a chance to be on the Jets’ opening night roster for 2023-24 despite earning a spot according to retired Rick Bowness, and the latest surgery two months ago was the latest hurdle in his quest to become an NHL regular.

Heinola, now 23, played in 41 games for the Moose last season after recovering from ankle surgery for the first time, recording 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points. He has played 35-career NHL games, but hasn’t since 2022-23. He played in 152 career AHL games, accumulating 102 points.

Heinola, who is on loan, can stay with Moose for up to two weeks without being told off. The Moose have four home games in that stretch for Heinola to get back on track, starting with a morning tilt on Thursday, Nov. 21 against the Chicago Wolves at the Canada Life Centre. The Moose are 5-8-0-0 on the campaign and just finished a five-game road trip.

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The 15-3-0 Jets, meanwhile, fielded Colin Miller, Haydn Fleury and Logan Stanley (who is currently injured) on their third defensive pairing in Heinola’s absence.