Nino Niederreiter, forward for the Winnipeg Jets, recently reflected on a potentially serious injury incident earlier this month when he sustained a cut to the back of his leg. Describing the moment as “kind of a scary play,” the Swiss winger shared his experience during a Monday practice session at Canada Life Centre.
Upon feeling discomfort in his leg, Niederreiter initially faced uncertainty about the nature of his injury. Subsequent assessment revealed a two-millimetre slice into his Achilles tendon, necessitating eight stitches and sidelining him for the subsequent five games. Despite the setback, Niederreiter expressed gratitude for the outcome, acknowledging that the situation could have been far worse. He is expected to rejoin the line-up when the Jets face the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday.
The injury occurred during Winnipeg’s April 1 game against the Los Angeles Kings, following a collision involving Jets teammate Mason Appleton and L.A. winger Adrian Kempe, resulting in a skate blade pressing into the back of Niederreiter’s boot. Fortunately, Niederreiter’s use of cut-resistant socks provided a measure of protection, a practice adopted by many NHL players over the years.
Reflecting on the incident, Niederreiter emphasized the importance of protective gear while humorously noting his own disregard for visor protection. The Achilles injury, historically associated with severe hockey accidents, underscores the need for player safety measures.
Throughout Niederreiter’s absence, his Jets teammates showcased commendable performance, securing victories in all five games and maintaining a shutout streak against formidable opponents like the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche.
Having had his stitches removed, Niederreiter is poised to resume playing and aims to regain momentum ahead of the playoffs. Head coach Rick Bowness expressed optimism about Niederreiter’s potential return to the line-up, contingent upon his readiness to compete.
The Winnipeg Jets are set to face the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night at Canada Life Centre, marking one of their final matchups before postseason preparations intensify.
