Heinola Getting Back Up to Speed With Moose

Saturday, Jan. 13 was a big day for defenceman Ville Heinola. The 2019 Winnipeg Jets first round pick hit the ice with the Manitoba Moose for his first game of the 2023-24 regular season. Heinola picked up an assist in a 4-1 loss to the Laval Rocket, taking a crucial step in his recovery from a pre-season injury.

Back on Oct. 5, the Winnipeg Jets were playing their final game of the 2023 pre-season. After a strong exhibition campaign, Heinola was doing his best to push for a spot on the Jets' opening night blueline when he was injured during the first period in a collision with Ottawa's Erik Brannstrom. The Jets defender suffered a fractured ankle, beginning a months long process of getting back in game action.

"Obviously it's not fun. I felt like I was playing well and then that happens," said Heinola ahead of his season debut. "At the start it's hard when you're not able to do anything, can't work out, can't do much. So it's a pretty dark place. After you get moving, get back on the ice, you see the light in front of you. So it gets easier."

Heinola had plenty of support through the process, initially beginning his road back at home in Finland. He was able to spend the time with family and friends, easing some of the burden of the long rehab ahead. The time back home helped get the 22-year old defender away from the rink and the day-to-day business of pro hockey. It made Heinola more comfortable with those early days.

On Dec. 5, Heinola hit the ice at hockey for all centre for a brief skate on his own. Two months to the day since sustaining the injury. A couple weeks later, he skated with the Winnipeg Jets in a non-contact jersey.

"I waited for that for two months," Heinola smiled. "When it finally happened I was just so excited and happy to be on the ice. You appreciate it more that you can be on the ice. Even all the little things. Just practicing and being with the boys. It's so much more fun when you've been out for a couple months."

The next step came on Jan. 11, just over three months following the injury, when Heinola was assigned to the Moose. His time finally arrived a couple days later. Heinola was ready to suit up and play his first game since the injury. It would be his first non-exhibition game since May 5, 2023 when Heinola and the Moose faced off against the Milwaukee Admirals in Game 4 of the Central Division Semi-Finals. A separate injury kept the defender out of the deciding fifth game of that series.

"Of course there's a little bit (of nerves), but more just excited to play," Heinola detailed before puck drop. "It's been a long time since I played last. I'm just happy to be back and happy to play hockey again."

The Honkajoki, Finland native didn't expect himself to be at the level he was heading into that final pre-season game back in October. Heinola recognizes that the journey isn't quite over yet. He's entering the AHL regular season past the 30-game mark and has work to do getting back up to full pace.

"I just need to play a simple game. Get the basic things going like passing, playing one-on-ones and battling," Heinola laid out. "Being good in battles is a big thing for me and I need to get those simple things back to normal."

It's exciting to see the 2019 first rounder back on the ice with the Moose. Heinola's assist in his season debut pushed him into sole possession of 12th on the franchise's all-time points list for defencemen. He sits just four points back of matching fellow dynamic Finnish defender Sami Niku for 10th on the list. So as Heinola continues to round into form, there may just be some historic milestones in his future as well.

Ville Heinola and his Moose teammates host the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (6 p.m.) this week. Tickets are available at MooseHockey.com/TICKETS.

Photo Credits: Katie MacLeod (Winnipeg Jets) and Laurent Cobiel (Laval Rocket)