Sami Niku back in a regular uniform for Manitoba Moose practice

It has been a long and winding road for Jets 2015 7th round pick Sami Niku who was expected to seize a spot in the Jets top six to start the 2019-20 NHL Regular season but after being hampered by injuries during training camp, the Moose took the slow approach to allow him time to properly heal (Niku has played in just three games this year for the Moose).  Today at practice Niku shed his non-contact jersey for a regular one according to Moose reporter Austin Siragusa.

The Moose play a pair of afternoon games this weekend in Winnipeg and Coach Pascal Vincent spoke yesterday about the need for Niku to be playing heavy minutes.  Provided the smooth-skating Finnish defenceman is in the lineup on Saturday you can bet that he is going to be relied upon as the Moose try to get out of their tailspin (they’ve lost six straight).