Manitoba Moose Injury Update: Sami Niku progressing towards a return to the lineup

Sami Niku was skating on his own last week but joined his Moose teammates on the ice today for practice as Manitoba looks to end their six-game losing streak which has them sitting in last in the division at 1-7-0-0.

He was in a non-contact jersey today but indicated in his media availability that “I’m feeling pretty much normal so I think I wear red jersey tomorrow and I will be good to go on Friday.”  The Moose are scheduled to play Grand Rapids at home this weekend.

Coach Vincent was asked about Niku’s status.  “Sami, first time he skates (with the team) in a few weeks.  But I asked him on the ice and he feels pretty good.”

On what the focus is gonna be with Niku “His conditioning and practices to get him back to game shape.  So playing heavy minutes when we play him for sure and that’s the goal.  Get him back to where he was at the end of the year last year.  The only way to do it is to give him minutes.”

You can watch the chats with Niku and coach Vincent from Bell MTS Place here: