Zach Redmond injury: Jets D has surgery to repair laceration

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Zach Redmond underwent emergency surgery to repair lacerated veins after a skate cut in practice on Thursday.

Redmond's leg was gashed by a skate during practice Thursday. He spent three hours in surgery to repair his right femoral artery and vein. The 24 year old is currently resting in a Winnipeg hospital. There is no timetable on his return to the ice.

Coach Claude Noel admits that the injury occured during one-on-one net drills:

"What took place is we were trying to get our extra players conditioned, there was a 1-on-1 battle at the net and (Redmond) was tripped up, ended up on his back and the player happened to step on him just above the back of the knee,"

Shortly after the surgery, the Jets released this statement:

"The Winnipeg Jets would like to announce that defenceman Zach Redmond underwent surgery today for approximately three hours at a Raleigh area hospital to repair a laceration to his right femoral artery and vein.
"The injury to his mid-thigh region was the result of an accidental cut from a skate during drills at the end of practice.

"Zach is currently resting comfortably in recovery and is expected to be out an indefinite period of time.
"The Winnipeg Jets will provide further updates as appropriate.

"The Jets would like to recognize the quick actions of the team's training staff and teammates in helping Zach receive the urgent treatment necessary."

Redmond was enjoying success in his first NHL season. In eight games, he scored one goal and had three assists.

The Jets are set to take on the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday night, and Noel says they will be playing with a heavy heart:

"It's tough on your team," said Noel. "They will be rattled. It's a teammate and there's not much you can say. The guys are heading back (to the hotel). It throws a wrench into your pre-game (routine) but we'll get it solved by time we get back here and ready to go."

This is the third time this season that a player suffered a serious skate cut. On Wednesday, Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson lacerated his Achilles tendon when Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke cut him during a check. In the American Hockey League, New Jersey Devils prospect Matthew Tedenby got hit in the face with a skate and required plastic surgery. Expect the debate over cut-resistant material to heat up after this latest incident.

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