Chibrikov looking to put his best foot forward

Much as he tried, Nikita Chibrikov couldn’t stop seeing the instant replay in his head.

A routine move — one he’d done countless times over his hockey career — had devastating results last January when the young Russian forward caught an edge and tore up his knee during a game with the Manitoba Moose.

“For about three months it was behind my eyes. I always remember this unlucky moment,” Chibrikov told the Free Press on Wednesday in a one-on-one chat at the Hockey For All Centre.

Just like that, a promising season — which had included an impactful call-up to the Winnipeg Jets only weeks earlier — was over. Surgery followed, along with an estimated six to nine month recovery process.

“It was a hard injury. And it’s hard mentally to come back from,” he said.

Fast forward to the present, and Chibrikov is back in town with a clear mind and sharp focus. The 22-year-old winger is determined to pick up where he left off and, hopefully, make it impossible for the Jets to send him back down to the Moose.

“I have the mind to be an NHL player. I believe in myself and will do everything to be on this team,” he said.

One step at a time.

First up is this weekend’s prospect showdown in Montreal, where several Jets draft picks and a handful of free agents will face the young guns of the Canadiens and Ottawa Senators.

Why is a player with 100 AHL games and four NHL contests on his resumé suiting up alongside all these rookies?

“I made the request to play,” he explained. “I wanted to play some games, since it’s been such a long time. It’s important for me.”

Chibrikov, drafted 50th-overall in 2021, skated on a line with Brayden Yager and Fabian Wagner during Wednesday’s initial team practice.

He received the green light from doctors in early August to ramp up training and resume skating, paving the way for a month-long trip to Florida where he worked out with several Russian pros, including Dmitry Orlov, Andrei Svechnikov and Ilya Mikheyev.

“My body feels fully recovered,” said Chibrikov. “Now I need to feel it in a game. I did a big job to be able to come back and play games. I’m really excited to be on the ice now.”

Moose head coach Mark Morrison, who will guide the group behind the bench this weekend, is thrilled to have a healthy Chibrikov back.

“With those types of injuries, it can take a while to get back, just from the mental part of it. I think these games will be good for him, just to know he’s safe going into a corner, protecting the puck, making a tight turn. It can take a few games before you can get that out of your mind,” said Morrison.

“The one thing that we do know is he put the work in this summer, he’s in tremendous shape, his body looks great, he feels great. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how it all works out for him, but he has put the work in.”

Chibrikov plays much bigger than his 5-10, 170-pound frame suggests and brings plenty of energy and strong two-way play. He scored his first NHL goal in his big-league debut in April 2024, then added two goals and an assist in four games with the Jets last season.

With Mason Appleton, Brandon Tanev and Rasmus Kupari all moving on from the club this past summer, there are clear job openings in Winnipeg’s forward group when training camp begins next week.

Chibrikov is expected to compete with free agent signings Cole Koepke, Tanner Pearson and Walker Duehr, along with Moose teammates Brad Lambert, Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Parker Ford.

“I had a big conversation after last season with Chevy (GM Kevin Cheveldayoff) and Arny (Jets head coach Scott Arniel) to have a big summer and be ready for training camp,” said Chibrikov.

“I made a big step forward (last year) and my injury stopped me from playing more. Now, I’m focused to make the team and put my best foot forward here.”

Chibrikov believes the ordeal has ultimately made him stronger, both physically and mentally. He recalled how long, lonely days recovering in Winnipeg as the Moose and Jets played on without him tested his resolve — including seeing his roommate, Dmitry Kuzmin, traded in mid-January.

“It was hard. I had the opportunity to go wherever I wanted for the recovery but I took the decision to still be here in Winnipeg,” he said.

“I know this happens with hockey players and in other sports. You have to be ready for this. It shows how strong your personality is as a player.”

He credited the Moose training staff for going above and beyond, noting they even picked him up from his home when he was on crutches.

“They were hard days with the trainer guys. The first month, we spent around six, seven hours per day together,” he said.

Now, he’s hoping all that hard work and patience pays off — especially after getting a taste of Winnipeg’s hockey fever during the Jets playoff run last spring, which he watched from the sidelines.

“This is a fun city. They really help the team. And I love to be a part of this organization,” he said.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg