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Zach Redmond is being tended to very caringly in a Raleigh hospital. (MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

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NEW YORK -- Zach Redmond's road to recovery will be long and hard. But he does have a pile of family, friends and Winnipeg Jets teammates pulling for him and ready to help him along the way.

Redmond suffered a serious injury last Thursday in North Carolina in an accident at practice, when his upper right thigh was cut by Antti Miettinen's skate, slicing through major arteries, and required three hours of surgery to repair. The injury means the rookie defenceman's NHL season is over.

On Monday, his family released a statement through the team:

"We are truly overwhelmed by the tremendous support we have received on behalf of Zach. The outpouring of emotion and kind words we have received has helped our family get through this difficult time.

"We are eternally grateful for the quick response of the Winnipeg Jets training and coaching staff as well as Zach's teammates, who without reservation jumped to his aid, heroically took control of the situation and made sure Zach was given the proper care, in turn saving his life. Zach is currently in positive spirits, and getting the rest he needs while surrounded by family and friends in a Raleigh area hospital. We are deeply appreciative of all the support and are optimistic about Zach's full recovery and future.

"At this time, we hope that Zach and ourselves, as well as his friends, can have a little privacy as he begins the healing process. Thank you again."

Jets strength and conditioning trainer/assistant athletic therapist Lee Stubbs has remained in Raleigh with Redmond and his agent, Scott Norton, was to travel to see him today.

-- A TOUGH ROLE MODEL: Some bits from Jets winger Anthony Peluso:

-- When asked Monday about his role with the club as an enforcer:

"Every team that comes into the building I look to see who has been fighting. It's like starting all over again. I've got to make a reputation for myself. Obviously it's not like starting from scratch because the 'A' (American Hockey League) is a tough league, no doubt about it."

-- On Bruins tough guy Shawn Thornton, the NHL player after whom he'd like to emulate his game:

"He's a guy who worked on his game and it took a while for him to get his chance. Now he's known around the league by everybody. I like the way he plays. He plays with a lot of energy, he does what he has to do for his teammates and he's the best team guy. Nobody wants to be a one-dimensional guy, so the more that you can bring to the table the better it is for everybody."

-- MILESTONE WATCH: Ondrej Pavelec will tie Kari Lehtonen for most games played by a goaltender in Jets/Atlanta Thrashers franchise history with his next start. Pavelec has played in 203 games while Lehtonen, now with Dallas, suited up for 204 in Atlanta. Lehtonen is first on the all-time wins list with 94; Pavelec has 76.

-- NOTABLE: Evander Kane's current' seven-game point streak is the longest active one in the NHL right now... Kane's 25:21 of ice time on Sunday was a career high... Jets captain Andrew Ladd has eight goals in 11 games this month, the highest single-month total in his career. Over his years in the NHL, February has been good to Ladd, as he has scored 29 career goals in that month.

Ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 26, 2013 D3