Winnipeg Jets defenceman Ville Heinola suffered a fractured ankle in Thursday's pre-season contest against the Ottawa Senators, head coach Rick Bowness confirmed to reporters.
Ville Heinola is expected to miss at least eight weeks with the injury but could be sidelined for at least 12 weeks.
The Jets announced that they have placed Heinola on injured reserve.
The injury occurred late in the first period when Heinola got awkwardly tangled up in the corner with Senators defenceman Erik Brannstrom and both players hit the ice.
Heinola struggled to get to his feet and had to be helped to the bench where he immediately headed down the tunnel to the team's locker room.
The 22-year-old defenceman was a first-round pick of the Jets in the 2019 NHL Draft and was looking to earn a permanent spot on the roster this season.
Heinola had one assist in 10 games for the Jets last season. He spent most of his time in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose. He scored four goals and dished out 33 assists in 48 games with the Moose in 2022-23.
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