Status of injured Manitoba Moose players and projecting their return

The Moose returned from their road trip on Sunday and will get reacquainted with Bell MTS Place as they play their next six games here in Winnipeg.  They have either been missing players or lost them during the last couple of games on the road.  Today following practice at the IcePlex bench boss Pascal Vincent provided an update to me on his laundry list of skating wounded.

Peter Stoykewych:

The Moose captain has been limited to just 12 games this season.  He last played in Toronto against the Marlies on November 24th.

Coach said: “Long-term. We don’t know if he is going to come back.”

Luke Green:

2019-20 was looking better than 2018-19 for Jets 2016 3rd rounder as he played in two more games than he had the previous season but he last played in Rockford back on December 3rd and it looks like it will be another lost season for him.

Coach said: “Long term”.

Ryan White:

The veteran of 313 NHL games has also had a frustrating 2019-20 season having played in just 15 games for Manitoba this season.  He played in Rockford on January 31st but not the next night in Chicago.  He didn’t take part in today’s practice.

Coach said: “Day-to-day.  I’m not sure if he’s going to skate tomorrow.  We are hopeful for the weekend.”

JC Lipon:

The veteran winger from Regina was having a productive year for Manitoba matching his point totals from last season in 12 fewer games.

Coach said: “Lower-body.  We hope tomorrow he’s going to skate.  Right now the plan is, depending on how he feels in the morning, he should be skating tomorrow and we’re hopeful that it’s going to go well enough so he can play this weekend.”

Joona Luoto:

The Finnish forward playing in his first season here in North America had played a number of games up with the Jets and 18 down with the Moose.  He had four assists for Manitoba but had missed the last four games on the road.  Today following Moose practice coach Vincent provided an update on his status.

Coach said: “Is out for the season. Needed surgery.  Upper-body. So he’s not going to return for the season.”

Derek Hulak:

The Saskatoon product had a pair of monster seasons for the Texas Stars as few years back but has had a tough time staying healthy since 2015-16.  He’s played 18 games for the Moose this season, his last game coming on December 22nd, 2019, when an injury to his leg took him out commission.

No update on his status.