News and roster notes for the Winnipeg Jets for Thursday morning…
- Center Bryan Little was placed on Injured Reserve by the team suffering a head injury after taking a puck to the right side of his head from a deflected shot during Tuesday night’s game against the New Jersey Devils. Paul Maurice stated that Little is dealing with a perforated eardrum and vertigo after the team confirmed that he had received 25 to 30 stitches to close a laceration on his ear. He remained in hospital on Wednesday for further observation but according to Paul Maurice is set to be released today. There was no timeline given for a possible return.
#NHLJets Bryan Little has a perforated eardrum. Is dealing with vertigo, coach Paul Maurice confirms. No timeline for retirement. “He’s in good spirits. One side of his head’s bigger than the other but he’s good.” #wfp
— Mike McIntyre (@mikemcintyrewpg) November 7, 2019
- Left Winger Joona Luoto was called up by the Jets as a corresponding move to the Little IR placement. The 22 year old forward has three assists in nine games with the AHL Manitoba Moose this season. Luoto had a pretty decent camp before the season as he scored a goal and picked up an assist in five pre-season games with the Jets this past September.
- Tucker Poolman was back on the ice in a regular practice jersey. Poolman missed Tuesday’s game with an unspecified injury at the time, but it was revealed on Thursday he was dealing with migraines. He is possible for Friday night’s game against the Vancouver Canucks.
- Gabriel Bourque was not on the ice for Thursday’s practice. He took a shot off of his left foot during Tuesday’s game against New Jersey. While Bourque did try to return in the game, he had one brief 27 second shift early in the third period before sitting out the rest of the game. After practice, Maurice confirmed that Bourque will be out for at least a month but also stated that it wasn’t related to the shot block.
#NHLJets HC Paul Maurice says F Gabriel Bourque will be out for at least four weeks with a lower-body injury, not related to the shot he blocked
— Ken Wiebe (@WiebeAthletic) November 7, 2019
- Here are the lines from practice… Interesting to see Blake Wheeler moved to second line center.
Morrissey-Poolman
Kulikov-Pionk
Beaulieu-Dahlstrom
Bitetto-Sbisa(Unclear which pairing is third and which could be fourth/extra)
— Ken Wiebe (@WiebeAthletic) November 7, 2019