WINNIPEG – To the surprise of many, rookie defenceman Zach Redmond was back on the ice Friday, practicing a little more than six weeks after nearly losing his life.
Redmond’s right femoral artery and vein were lacerated just above the knee by the skate of Antti Miettinen in a collision near the net on February 21st. The two were taking part in extra drills during a pre-game skate in Raleigh, North Carolina. Redmond lost more than a litre of blood as the training staff, players and coaches rushed to his aid before an ambulance arrived.
“I’m just really fortunate for the coaches and players and everyone that jumped in,” said Redmond. “I’m convinced they saved my life and I couldn’t be more lucky. I didn’t actually feel the cut. I don’t know if I was in shock or what. The cut itself didn’t hurt. Then seeing the blood, that initial shock was like woah.”
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Redmond was originally given a 50/50 chance of ever playing hockey again. His recovery though, has been remarkable.
“There’s a lot of nerves, blood vessels in that area,” said Rob Milette, the Jets’ athletic therapist. “He might not have had motor function in his foot, which he does obviously because he looks really good obviously. Definitely was a concern at the time but now it looks pretty good.”
“I certainly didn’t anticipate him skating anytime soon,” said Jets Head Coach Claude Noel. “When somebody sent that text (Thursday) that he was going to skate today, I thought it was April 1st or something.”
“I honestly feel fortunate,” said Redmond. “It’s more of a I feel lucky to be here then unlucky to be hurt.”
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