Fleury feels lucky injury wasn’t worse

Haydn Fleury remembers the silence.

From his own mouth, unable to form any words after a devastating crash into the end boards. And from the crowd inside Canada Life Centre, stunned at what they had just witnessed.

Nearly two months after the freak accident that ended with him being stretchered off the ice, the Winnipeg Jets defenceman can finally talk about what happened — and the long, painstaking road back into the lineup.

“Happened fast. I was just going back for a puck, and just an unfortunate play, really,” Fleury said Monday, reflecting on the Jan. 6 collision with Vegas Golden Knights forward (and Winnipegger) Keegan Kolesar.

“I was extremely winded, but knew I was alright. But I couldn’t really get any words out of my mouth to tell Mullet (head trainer Rob Milette) that.”

The impact left Fleury with multiple injuries to his neck and head, including a broken nose caused by his own legs folding into his face from the force of the crash.

“I’m not the most flexible guy either,” said Fleury.

“It was really quiet. Once Mullet got out there and he just kind of laid me down, the whole building is quiet. I’m in my own little zone, but you can also just feel the stuff around you. You could tell everybody was worried and I really appreciate all the messages I got from people from Winnipeg, from Uber Eats gift cards to barbecue brisket.”

Fleury’s wife was at the game that night and joined him in the ambulance as they went to hospital, where he was kept for observation.

“At that point I was able to tell her that I was okay and I could move and there wasn’t going to be any life-damaging things,” he said.

“After that, kind of took it day-by-day, and slowly got back in the gym. Kind of like the beginning of summer stuff. Kind of got a re-start, kind of build everything back up. I was able to get back on the ice the week before the Olympic break. And then felt really good that week, so I knew coming off the Olympic break it wasn’t going to be too much longer.”

Fleury returned to the lineup on Sunday in San Jose. He even got some time during the three-on-three overtime session, with top blue-liners Josh Morrissey and Neal Pionk currently sidelined with their own injuries.

“My wife was extremely nervous for that game (Sunday),” said Fleury.

“I don’t think she watched too much. Me, it’s just getting back out there, seeing the progression day-by-day. Probably should have done a better job of communicating that with her, take a little bit of nerves off her. But no, it was probably a more nerve-wracking day for her.”

This isn’t the first time Fleury has been involved in a scary on-ice collision. While playing with the Tampa Bay Lightning in April 2024, Fleury accidentally ran into referee Steve Kozari, who suffered a head injury and was also stretchered off the ice, ultimately making a full recovery.

“I was probably more aware this time than the last one. Hopefully just avoid that kind of stuff for a little bit here,” said Fleury, who has also battled several concussions over his career including one earlier this season.

He didn’t want to disclose exactly what injuries he suffered in this latest incident.

“Mullet and the staff here did a really good job at just wanting to be patient and just letting it kind of run its course, and then building it back up from there and being able to feel good,” said Fleury.

“And walking around day-to-day with no pain is the biggest thing.

Did he ever have doubts about returning?

“I’m a hockey player,” he said, shaking his head. “Definitely extremely lucky. Could have been a lot worse. I’m just extremely thankful.”

Fleury, 29, has been limited to just 18 games with the Jets this season. The Saskatchewan product has one year left on his current contract.

While Pionk is still considered week-to-week, there was some good news on Monday about Morrissey. He skated on his own for a third straight day and is expected to join the team in a non-contact jersey for Tuesday’s morning skate.

“He’s probably getting real close to the weekend,” said Jets head coach Scott Arniel.

“Thursday, there’s a chance, but hoping Vancouver (on Saturday), if not then we have two more days off before next week. It’s also a situation where I need him, but I also don’t want to lose him again. It’s just making sure he’s comfortable to be back out there doing what he needs to do.”

Morrissey suffered an upper-body injury during the first game of the Winter Olympics, missing Canada’s five other contests including the gold medal game.

Jets defenceman Colin Miller is also currently sidelined but participated in Monday’s optional skate in a non-contact sweater. The Jets are also without injured forwards Vlad Namestnikov and Nino Niederreiter, who are both considered week-to-week. Arniel said he’s hopeful they could return before the end of the regular season.

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