Winnipeg Jets defenseman Haydn Fleury was released from the hospital and rejoined the team a day after being stretchered off the ice during a 4-3 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Fleury sustained a broken nose and bruised back from a hit into the end boards, with a possible concussion still under evaluation. The incident occurred at 13:16 of the first period, and no penalty was called on Golden Knights forward Keegan Kolesar.
The Winnipeg Jets faced a frightening moment in their home game against the Vegas Golden Knights at Canada Life Centre on Tuesday. At 13:16 in the first period, Jets defenseman Haydn Fleury attempted to clear the puck from his defensive zone when he was hit by Golden Knights forward Keegan Kolesar. Fleury slid hard into the end boards, with his head and upper body making principal contact. No penalty was assessed on the play, and Fleury was immediately taken off the ice on a stretcher.
The Jets announced that Fleury was fully alert and moving his extremities as he was transported to the hospital. By Wednesday, he had been released and returned to the team locker room. Jets coach Scott Arniel provided an update on Fleury's condition, stating, "He's got a broken nose, a bruised back. Obviously, it's not at first what we thought. It's not as serious as when we're seeing him go off on a stretcher. He was banged up pretty good, he felt it. But it's great to see him here today and see him around the room."
Arniel noted that while the injuries appear less severe than initially feared, a potential concussion remains a concern. "You've got to kind of wait and see on it," he said. "You bang your head that hard ... I'm not saying it's a concussion yet, but he still has to go through the next few days here and see how he feels. He may wake up three days from now and feel great [or] he may wake up three days from now and have some issues."
Fleury, who has no points in 17 games this season, was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Tuesday. In response, the Jets recalled forward Danil Zhilkin from the American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose. The loss marked the Jets' 10th consecutive defeat (0-6-4), dropping their record to 15-21-5 as they prepare to face the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
