Trouba OKed for contact

By: Posted: 10:08 PM CDT Monday, Mar. 26, 2018

Jacob Trouba was in red Monday, a good sign for the Winnipeg Jets blue-liner still recovering from a concussion.

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Jacob Trouba was in red Monday, a good sign for the Winnipeg Jets blue-liner still recovering from a concussion.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/03/2018 (2727 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Jacob Trouba was in red Monday, a good sign for the Winnipeg Jets blue-liner still recovering from a concussion.

Trouba was no longer wearing a yellow “no-contact” jersey during the club’s optional skate at Bell MTS Place, although there wasn’t any bumping going on as only seven players took part.

Jets head coach Paul Maurice said Trouba has been cleared for contact but there’s no rush get him back in the lineup. “He’s cleared for full contact, so we’ll slowly start amping that up,” said Maurice.

Adam Hunger / The Associated Press files
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba (left) has been cleared for contact after clearing the NHL's concussion protocol. — Adam Hunger / The Associated Press files Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba (left) has been cleared for contact after clearing the NHL's concussion protocol.

“If we had lots of practice time, maybe that would come faster. We’re not in a hurry, we don’t need it. We want him back when he’s banging on the door and there’s no doubt (he’s ready).”

Winnipeg has seven games left in the regular season, including tonight’s matchup against the visiting Boston Bruins. The team then leaves for a four-game road trip, with the first stop scheduled for Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Trouba was hurt on March 18 after taking a hard hit from Dallas Stars winger Jamie Benn and was diagnosed with a concussion two days later.

“That was a pretty significant hit, but he also came off it really good,” said Maurice. “We’re going to be patient right now because we have time to be. I’m going to hold him out longer than he probably wants to be held out.”

Meanwhile, goalie Michael Hutchinson was on the ice Monday and continues the slow recovery from a concussion, while goalie Steve Mason (knee) also participated in the skate. Neither is expected to play on the road trip.

● ● ●

Jets’ red-hot rookie winger Kyle Connor has been named the NHL’s third star of the week, which ended Sunday.

Connor, 21, helped the Jets earn three straight victories, with some strong offensive production (4G, 2A, +5). On Friday, he became the second rookie in NHL history to score a regular-season overtime goal in consecutive games (Los Angeles and Anaheim).

Connor is tied for the rookie lead in goals (29) with injured Vancouver forward Brock Boeser.

— Jason Bell