Winnipeg Jets star Mark Scheifele says he'll play Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks after taking a shot to the ear in the team's last game.

Per Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press, Scheifele says he'll wear ear protection for Thursday's game after being rushed off the ice Tuesday.

Scheifele was hit by a shot from teammate Josh Morrissey that seemed to be deflected on its way to the net late in the game.

The native of Kitchener, Ont. collapsed in a heap and had his hand over his face after the puck hit him. He quickly got to his feet but was bent over in visible pain as he skated off the ice.

Scheifele had one assist in the game and leads the league-leading Jets with 41 points this season.

Scheifele says he immediately thought of former teammate Bryan Little, who suffered a concussion in 2019 and later had surgery to repair a perforated ear after he was struck in the head with a shot. Little didn't play again after the incident.

Meanwhile, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said defenceman Ville Heinola will be assigned to AHL Manitoba on a conditioning stint after suffering an ankle injury in the pre-season.

A first-round pick (20th overall) in 2019, Heinola has split time between the NHL and AHL the past three seasons.

Jets' Scheifele to play vs. Blackhawks, Heinola to return to action in AHL

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