If there ever was a case study in perseverance it would feature hard-working winger Kristian Reichel who went from being an undrafted invitee to development camp in Winnipeg while with the Red Deer Rebels to an AHL deal with the Moose to an NHL deal with the Jets to making his NHL debut with the Winnipeg Jets in 2021-22. He would go on to play 13 games that season in the NHL which included picking up his first NHL goal and assist. He was injured in a game against the Flames that season when he blocked a shot with his foot.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
He would follow that up with two more games in 2022-23 for Winnipeg and was very good for Manitoba in the AHL playing in 61 games and getting to a new career high in points with 24 (9G 15A). Unfortunately for him he suffered a rather bizarre, season-ending injury in the final road trip which required shoulder surgery. His absence in the Moose playoff series with the Admirals was noticeable.
The right-shot winger is very good on the penalty kill and will be looking to earn his spot with the Jets this season.
One change from last year is he will have new representation according to agent Allen Walsh of Octagon Hockey who tweeted out a welcome to Reichel on Saturday. The 25-year old is entering the second year of a two-year contract he signed in March of 2022. He will be an RFA with arbitration rights when this deal expires.
