Winnipeg Jets defenseman Haydn Fleury has returned to the team after a frightening collision that saw him stretchered off the ice during Tuesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 29-year-old spent the night in hospital but rejoined his teammates on Wednesday, coach Scott Arniel confirmed. Fleury sustained a broken nose and a bruised back, with concussion protocols still ongoing.
Arniel provided reassurance about Fleury’s condition post-practice. The incident occurred in the first period at Canada Life Centre, where the Jets fell 4-3 in overtime. Fans and players alike held their breath as medical staff attended to him.
The collision that shocked Canada Life Centre
Fleury was attempting to clear the puck from the defensive zone when Golden Knights forward Keegan Kolesar checked him in the chest at 13:16 of the first period. Fleury slid uncontrollably into the end boards, with his head and upper body absorbing the primary impact. He lay motionless for several minutes, prompting trainers to stabilize him on a backboard before wheeling him off.
No penalty was called on Kolesar, a decision that ignited the Jets’ bench. The entire Winnipeg lineup emptied onto the ice in support as Fleury was transported. Play halted amid a tense silence in the arena.
When action resumed, Jets captain Adam Lowry immediately engaged Kolesar in a fight, dropping the gloves in a show of team solidarity. This response underscored the brotherhood within the locker room. For more on the immediate aftermath of the hit, see our coverage of Winnipeg Jets defenseman Haydn Fleury stretchered off after hard collision.
The Jets initially reported Fleury was fully alert and moving all extremities upon leaving the rink. An ambulance took him to hospital for evaluation. Vegas capitalized on the disrupted momentum, eventually winning in overtime.
Injury diagnosis and recovery outlook
Coach Arniel detailed Fleury’s injuries after Wednesday’s session. “He’s got a broken nose, a bruised back,” Arniel said. “It’s not as serious as when we’re seeing him go off on a stretcher. He was banged up pretty good, but it’s great to see him here today.”
Medical staff placed Fleury on injured reserve retroactively to Tuesday, sidelining him for at least three games. The team recalled forward Danil Zhilkin from AHL Manitoba to fill the gap. Concussion remains a question mark, with Arniel noting, “You’ve got to wait and see… he may wake up three days from now and feel great or have some issues.”
Fleury spent the night under observation but was discharged Wednesday. His visible presence in the locker room boosted spirits. Full details emerged via NHL.com reports.
- Confirmed injuries: Broken nose, bruised back
- Possible issue: Concussion (pending further evaluation)
- Timeline: Out minimum seven days due to IR rules
- Replacement: Danil Zhilkin recalled
Fleury’s role and Jets’ struggles
Fleury, in his second season with Winnipeg, had played 17 games without a point this year. The ninth-year veteran previously suited up for Carolina, Tampa Bay, Seattle, and Anaheim, amassing 10 goals and 44 points career-wide. Acquired to provide steady blue-line depth, he logged regular shifts.
The Jets sit at 15-21-5, mired in a 10-game skid (0-6-4) heading into Thursday’s matchup against Edmonton. Injuries have plagued the roster, testing depth. Recent returns like Adam Lowry have helped, as noted in our piece on Winnipeg Jets injury returns amid November 2025 performance.
Arniel praised Fleury’s resilience. “He felt it,” the coach said. Losing a reliable defender compounds woes for a team desperate for wins.
Fleury’s return to practice signals progress, though game action waits. His experience could prove vital post-recovery.
Team response and broader implications
The Jets’ unified front was evident from the bench-clearing support to Lowry’s scrap. “Obviously slammed his back, hit his neck, hit his head, and obviously his nose,” Arniel said post-game Tuesday. This camaraderie defines Winnipeg’s identity.
Kolesar’s hit sparked debate on boarding enforcement. No call was made, but the fight served as on-ice justice. Officials reviewed but upheld the non-penalty.
For the Golden Knights, the win extended their strong play. Vegas thrives in tight games, exploiting chaos.
Winnipeg eyes stabilization. With Fleury sidelined short-term, Zhilkin gets opportunity. The Oilers clash looms critical amid the skid.
Fleury’s quick rejoining offers hope. Monitoring concussion will dictate timeline. Jets faithful await his full clearance.
The episode highlights hockey’s physical toll yet underscores player toughness. As Winnipeg battles back, Fleury’s mindset matters. A healthy return could spark turnaround, vital for playoff push. Stay tuned for updates.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.