Jets Future Stars: Ville Heinola
By: CK Nakhwal | Published: March 20th 2021The 20-year old suited up for just three games with the Moose during the 2019-2020 season. This season, Heinola played in 16 games and registered 10 (4G, 6A) points prior to rejoining the Taxi Squad.
Heinola has been enjoying the opportunity to be playing top-pairing minutes and rounding out his game in the American Hockey League.
“Playing a lot, that’s a good thing wherever you play, I also want to show off my PK, I also want to be better there and focus on that. Thats a good thing about being here is that I can focus on that part of my game.
Heinola is also excited to be playing with the other top selections from the Winnipeg Jets. It provides an opportunity to build chemistry between the prospects early in their careers.
“It feels so good playing with them, you kind of feel like you are thinking about the games the same way, When you have that kind of talent to push yourself and push your limits, you want to be better everyday and if those guys are good, you want to be better and I think that’s a good thing.”
Moose General Manager Craig Heisinger knows this is a big key for Heinola’s development. The young defender has plenty of players, young and old, he can learn from.
“I think initially you are disappointed to get set down from the taxi squad to the AHL, but if you are up there long enough, I think you want to get sent down and get some games going. From Ville’s prospective, he stepped into a situation where we have 4 or 5 young D that are all playing and trying to find their way, but with the veteran presence of Jimmy Oligny I think he’s provided some guidance.”
Check in on more top prospects in the Jets Future Stars series:
Cole Perfetti
Still to come..
David Gustafsson
Kristian Vesalainen