Healthy Poolman kicks COVID, now plans to bust into lineup

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This article was published 08/02/2021 (1719 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg Jets defenceman Tucker Poolman revealed after practice Sunday he had tested positive for COVID-19.

Poolman broke the news in his first availability with the media since a lengthy layoff. He was released from the NHL’s COVID Protocol Related Absence list on Jan. 29, following two weeks of quarantine, but was not practising with the team right away.

He’s healthy now and working with the full club as he continues to work his way back into the lineup.

“I’ve gone through a lot of emotions over the last few weeks between myself getting it and then (my fiancé, Jess) getting it at home. Like everyone, this whole year, a lot of curveballs thrown at you,” Poolman said. “Glad to be back with the team. I’m glad no one else got it. That was a big plus for me. I was waiting around for a week just nervous sitting at home. It was great no one else got it.”

Poolman had played just one game this season with the Jets — a 4-3 overtime win in the season-opener — before testing positive. He was surprised when he learned of the positive test result, noting he was following the league’s protocols and there were no red flags he could point to so far as contracting the virus.

“I was at home, me and my fiancé, and got the call. She could hear the phone as I was talking and her eyes got kind of wide like, ‘How did that happen?’” Poolman said. “I ended up giving it to her about a week later. We were both pretty surprised when it happened.”

Poolman said he suffered only “mild” symptoms, compared to some of the more serious cases you hear in the news.

“I’m feeling good now. It’s been a process. It was 14 days of no activity really and staying at home,” he said. “Came back and it feels like another training camp almost. Every day feels better on the ice cardio-wise and with the hands. It’s just a process when you sit out that long sometimes. Every day feels better. I’m not sure of a timeline for getting back in there. It’s just about getting back and feeling healthy right now.”

With his return to the lineup unclear, Poolman was working alongside Sami Niku on the Jets’ fourth pairing. That makes him suiting up Tuesday against the Calgary Flames unlikely.

MORE FROM THE INFIRMARY

Maurice was asked to provide an update for a couple of other players currently out with injury.

He said forwards Nate Thompson and Jansen Harkins, both of whom are sidelined with lower-body injuries, are “slightly beyond day to day.”

“Both of those guys have been on the ice. Thompson is ahead of Harkins in that department, in terms of health,” Maurice said. “I think Thompson would be available possibly for the Ottawa series (Feb. 11-13), Hark I’m less sure of where he’s going to be at.”

Thompson has missed the last seven games, while Harkins has only been out one game.

VESALAINEN PROMOTED

Kristian Vesalainen has started to earn consistent playing time with the Jets, earning a roster spot in three straight games.

And while he’s averaging fewer than seven minutes a game, playing exclusively on the fourth line, he’s set to get a decent boost to his playing time. On Sunday, he was playing on a line with Paul Stastny and Blake Wheeler.

“It’s going to be a big opportunity for me to show what I can do, so I have to be good every day and work really hard to keep my position there,” Vesalainen said. “I think it’s been a pretty good season so far for me.

“I know they are really good players in this league and it’s going to be fun if I can play with those guys, so I have to prepare pretty good in the practice to do that.”

LAINE LIGHTING LAMP

Ex-Jet Patrik Laine potted a pair for the Columbus Blue Jackets Sunday afternoon, but Columbus dropped a 6-5 decision on home ice to the Carolina Hurricanes. The goals were Laine’s fourth and fifth of the season. He netted his first for the Jackets Thursday.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

twitter: @jeffkhamilton