The Canadian | Hit by a vehicle, Emil Heineman will miss a few weeks

(Salt Lake City, Utah) “Guys, I have a funny story for you. »

The text message the Canadiens players received in their group chat Monday afternoon was certainly intriguing. When they saw Emil Heineman in the lobby of their hotel, they understood that his story was not funny.

Around 2:55 p.m. Monday, while crossing the street in downtown Salt Lake City, where the Habs will face the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday night, the attacker was struck by a moving vehicle, reports -on, at low speed. The 23-year-old Swede escaped without serious injury. However, he was injured in the “upper body” and will have to miss three to four weeks of activities, therefore around ten matches, according to the organization’s estimate.

He was nevertheless able to return on his own to the hotel located two blocks from the scene of the collision. The report provided by the local police department confirms that when the patrol officers arrived, they did not encounter Heineman or the witness who had alerted the authorities.

Later in the evening, law enforcement officers received new information from a merchant located near the scene of the accident, which allowed them to identify the pedestrian. Still according to the report, Heineman received treatment from the Canadiens’ medical staff. The club, however, did not want to confirm whether he had gone to hospital. We also don’t know, at this point, if he will follow the team for its next stop in Dallas on Wednesday, or if he will quickly return to Montreal.

As the incident is under investigation by Utah Highway Patrol authorities, police have not provided any additional details about the motorist, who has however been identified.

As head coach Martin St-Louis pointed out, the accident is “unfortunate” for Heineman, on a personal level, of course, but also because he is having a very good season so far. In his first full NHL campaign, the winger scored 10 goals in 41 games, third among the CH. His 17 points also give him seventh place in the league among rookies.

St-Louis noted that it was ironic that a big guy like him, a fan of the robust game moreover, “got injured while walking in the street”. The driver jokingly assumed the car was “a total loss.”

More seriously, he noted that “it’s flat, because he had a nice way to go.”

“His play was very consistent and he brought a lot to the team. I don’t think we’ll lose him for too long. »

Regardless, given the “identity” that his team has given itself in recent weeks, an identity that has allowed it to win nine of its last 12 games, St-Louis expects the group “continues” its momentum in the absence of Heineman.

Pezzetta as reinforcement

In the short term, Michael Pezzetta will replace him in training. After spending several weeks in the press box, the energetic winger was called in recently, while Patrik Laine was treating a nasty flu. However, in four games, his ice time was limited as much as possible – 4 min 21 s on average.

That being said, he found himself in an unfamiliar situation on the second unit, to the left of Kirby Dach. This time, he will take Heineman’s place directly, with Jake Evans and Joel Armia. He himself recognizes that this role will suit his profile better.

“It should be more fluid,” said the Ontarian. I will be able to attend regularly. »

Pezzetta says he is “excited” by the chance offered to him to showcase himself, perhaps, for a longer period. By exercising “an aggressive forecheck” and “recovering pucks”, he wants to contribute to the success that this unit has experienced so far.

This injury is indeed a very bad time for the fourth trio, which has remained intact for 20 games. It’s been years since we’ve seen such stability from the Canadian, especially among the supporting forwards.

Since the start of the season, Evans, Armia and Heineman have been dominant in possession of the puck and have generated a lot of scoring chances. At five-on-five, their combination had an 11-4 advantage in goals.

“It was certainly unexpected, but it could have been much worse,” said Jake Evans, in response to a question about the Heineman accident.

“The hardest part is losing a good player,” he said.

He knows what to expect from Pezzetta, especially after spending more than 360 minutes on the ice with him over the past three seasons. He is confident to see his teammate arrive with the “energy” that characterizes him. Besides, “for us, it will be the same,” he predicted. “Playing simple hockey and being a tough line to play against. »

The substitution of Heineman for Pezzetta will be the only change to the Canadian’s lineup. Samuel Montembeault will be in front of the net, while his opposite will be Karel Vejmelka, from the Utah Hockey Club.

The meeting will begin at 9 p.m., Quebec time.