Heinola focused on claiming spot on Jets blue line

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This article was published 10/09/2024 (385 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The future has finally arrived for Ville Heinola.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” the 23-year-old Finnish defenceman said Tuesday following an informal Winnipeg Jets skate at the Hockey For All Centre.

Take a look at the current state of the roster and it’s clear there is a job opening with Heinola’s name on it once training camp officially begins next week. The organization bid farewell over the summer to veteran blueliners Brenden Dillon (signed with New Jersey) and Nate Schmidt (signed with Florida) without bringing in any established replacements.

No longer exempt from waivers, Heinola would surely be claimed by another club should the Jets try to send him down to the Manitoba Moose as they have for the past five years. The 20th-overall pick from 2019 has talent to burn while seemingly doing everything asked of him at the American Hockey League level while patiently waiting for his opportunity.

“Been grinding out every single day just to be ready when I get the chance to be in the top six. That’s my only goal this year and working towards it,” said Heinola.

He looked to have accomplished his goal a year ago, thanks to an impressive preseason showing which had him in line to not only crack the opening-night 23-man roster but likely be in the starting lineup for Game 1.

His big-league dream became a nightmare when he broke his ankle in the final preseason game. Heinola spent months recovering, then found his path to the Jets blocked by a healthy blue-line that ultimately went on to surrender the fewest goals in the league during the season.

The result was 41 games with the Moose trying to get back up to speed — and not a single contest with the Jets.

“It made me stronger mentally, for sure,” said Heinola. “Probably physically, as well. It’s never easy going through an injury and all the things that comes with it. But I think I handled it pretty well and am more ready now than I was last year.”

Winnipeg’s top four looks set with Josh Morrissey and Dylan DeMelo on the top pairing and Neal Pionk and Dylan Samberg likely on the second one. That leaves Heinola, Colin Miller and Logan Stanley in the mix for the third duo and an extra spot, which could involve a rotation of sorts.

The Jets did acquire depth defenders Dylan Coghlan and Haydn Fleury as extra insurance, and rookie Elias Salomonsson (2022 second-round pick) is also in the mix.

Heinola, who can play the left and right side, isn’t taking anything for granted even if his change in waiver status should provide some security.

“If I think about last year, I had exactly the same mindset, that I have to steal someone’s job to be on the top six. I feel like nothing changes this year,” he said. “There’s always going to be someone that I have to play better than. I feel that I’m ready for it and I know that I can do it.”

Heinola has played a total of 35 NHL games over parts of four years (one goal, 10 assists) while skating in 152 AHL games (23 goals, 79 assists). As a smooth-skating, puck-moving pivot, he brings the type of skill-set the Jets could desperately use more of.

“I can play an all-around game. The last two years, I’ve been focusing on my defensive part of the game,” he said.

“I feel like I can do it all. I know my strengths and I know what I’m good at. Of course, I want to do those things well. But I feel like if I play my game, I don’t really have to worry about those things. It’s more like proving to (the coaches) that I can do those other things, too.”

Speaking of coaches, Heinola has had some good summer conversations with new bench boss Scott Arniel.

“I think the plan is pretty simple for me: I have to earn my job here and show what I can do and show them I can be in a top-six role,” he said.

Like most young hockey players — particularly those who would be considered undersized by modern NHL standards — Heinola spent the offseason trying to get physically stronger. At 6-feet and 181 pounds, a little extra muscle can go a long way when it comes to board battles and net-front play.

“This summer, I spent way more time on the ice. Obviously, I missed a lot of time on the ice last year. That was my main focus, being on the ice, getting my skating back, hands and everything,” he said.

He has also stayed in touch with Dillon and Schmidt, who were valuable mentors to him on and off the ice and have helped him keep a level head when the going got really tough. Now, he’s hoping for a run of good health and good play with a golden opportunity directly in front of him.

“I feel like it also comes with age. I’m a little older now. I’ve been here for a little bit so I know how things work and what I have to do,” said Heinola.

“I’m not nervous anymore around these guys. It helps a lot. I feel like the more experience you get, the more comfort you get. You get used to things. If you make a bad play, it doesn’t matter. You just make the next one well and it’s gonna help.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg