The Winnipeg Jets shared some bad news about one of their top prospects on Friday.
Jets head coach Scott Arniel told reporters that defenceman Ville Heinola has an infection in the same ankle he had surgically repaired last season. Arniel said that the injury “isn’t day-to-day” and the team will have a better idea of his status in a “week or so.”
It’s another tough break for the 23-year-old defenceman who was expected to have a good opportunity to be a key blueliner for the Jets this 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 AHL’s Manitoba 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.