Zach Redmond injury: Jets defenseman has surgery after skate cut

Redmond was assigned to the St. John’s IceCaps last Wednesday on a conditioning assignment. The 24-year-old defenseman sustained a severe injury when his femoral artery was lacerated during a practice on Feb. 21. It was widely speculated that Redmond might not be able to play again, let alone return this season.

However, he began rehabilitation in Michigan before returning to Winnipeg to take part in a training program. He was able to return to on-ice work at the beginning of April and spent three days skating, as well as two days working on his upper body in the gym.

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:

Redmond is believed to have been working in one-on-one drills, when he was cut by a skate blade. After the incident, an ambulance was called and head coach Claude Noel was seen on the ice with Redmond. Teammates were seen bringing out towels, in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

In the wake of the injury, a large pool of blood was apparently visible on the ice.