The Winnipeg Jets‘ hopes to keep pace in hockey’s toughest division will rest with Michael Hutchinson and Connor Hellebuyck for the remainder of the calendar year.
The Jets put No. 1 goalie Ondrej Pavelec on injured reserve Monday in advance of their game against the Colorado Avalanche. He suffered a significant knee sprain and is not expected to return until 2016, though the exact timeline is fuzzy.
During the second period of the Jets’ 3-2 victory over the Coyotes Saturday, Pavelec collided with Arizona captain Shane Doan, who was pushed by Jets defenceman Mark Stuart. (Watch the play above.) The goalie was reportedly seen leaving MTS Centre on crutches.
“Doan is a pretty honest, pretty clean player who plays hard,” head coach Paul Maurice said. “But there is a responsibility to minimize the damage you do going into the net. I don’t think it was intentional. I really don’t. This game happens so fast and those are two big, strong men going to the net.”
Winnipeg recalled forward Joel Armia from the AHL Monday, and third-string goaltender Hellebuyck was recalled from Manitoba Sunday to back up in Pavelec’s absence.
Hellebuyck, a 22-year-old Michigan native, is considered a goaltending prospect for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup. The 2012 fifth-rounder has a .927 save percentage and 3.42 goals-against average for the AHL Moose this season, going 2-7-1 with one shutout. He has yet to play in the NHL, however.
“We’ve got depth,” Maurice said. “He is going to play at some time, probably sooner rather than later.”
Hutchinson (.915 save percentage) is expected to start for the Jets (10-9-2) Monday as the club wraps its three-game home stand.
“Nothing really changes in my preparation,” said Hutchinson, who is has eight starts this year. “My lone goal coming into every game is to help the team win when I get a chance. That’s the only thing I’m going to try to do right now.”
Watch: Paul Maurice talks Pavelec injury and Michael Hutchinson
