It was a difficult season for Ville Heinola. The Jets first rounder from 2019 had an exciting start to this NHL career when he played in eight games for Winnipeg during the 2018-19 season scoring his first NHL goal while adding four assists for five points.
Obviously injury derailed him a couple of seasons but he was never played in more than 18 games in one NHL season.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
After being placed on waivers for the first time in his career and thereafter clearing them back in early October he had to adjust to the reality he’d be in the AHL despite wishing he had been claimed.
He went down to the Moose and played well for Manitoba in his 44 games finishing with three goals and 18 assists. At the trade deadline he was recalled up to the NHL where he’d play five more games for the Jets.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
He was not one of the players made available to the Moose for the Calder Cup playoffs, which is a shame as they could have used him. We heard from him ahead of the the final game of the regular season on Thursday where he opened up about how tough this year has been on him mentally calling it his toughest year as a pro. He didn’t burn bridges when asked about whether he felt his development was stymied in Winnipeg and if he was given a “fair shot”.
But before he can get into vacation mode he’ll be heading to Switzerland to play for Finland at the World Championship. The 25-year old defender has played for his country before but never at this tournament.
This is expected to be his final season in Winnipeg as he didn’t play enough games in the NHL for the Jets to retain him as an RFA and he will be a Group 6 free agent, free to sign with any team on July 1st.
If this indeed the end of his time in the Jets/Moose organization he will have played:
NHL: 58 games 1G 11A 12 points
AHL: 198 games 26G 98A 124 points
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