Jets defenceman Ville Heinola continues to progress since he had ankle surgery which he had back on October 9th. He would return home to Finland to be with family and friends in the early part of his recovery.
As he progressed he returned to Winnipeg to be with the team. He was seen on the road trip at the start of last month to Vegas and thereafter around the rink.
Back on October 9th head coach Rick Bowness advised that the surgery went well and that “It’s going to be a minimum of eight weeks and then we’ll start addressing it again then.”
Last Tuesday the bench boss was asked if Heinola was skating and he indicated “I just saw him today for the first time in awhile and it’s still bandaged up so I don’t have an answer to that.”
If one is taking the eight-week window literally that would takes us to yesterday but the Jets were off. John Lu of TSN reported that Ville Heinola was skating today.
#NHLJets Ville Heinola was skating prior to today’s optional practice. It’s almost 9 weeks to the day since he fractured his left ankle (estimated 2-3 month recovery). TBD whether he’ll travel with the team for its upcoming 4-game road trip. @TSN_Edge pic.twitter.com/eFNlA9M8vl
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNWpg) December 5, 2023
Following the heavily optional practice head coach Rick Bowness confirmed this was the first time that Ville Heinola was on skates since his surgery back in October although he cautioned he’s still “a ways away”.
He was asked if Heinola would go on a conditioning assignment with the Moose when he is back up to health and the Jets bench boss said “We’ll deal with that when we get there.”
Good sign for the young Dman that he’s back on skates.
