Hutchinson's delayed flight forces Winnipeg Jets to sign emergency backup goalie

BarDown Staff

Michael Hutchinson , Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images

Steve Mason returned to the Winnipeg Jets’ lineup earlier this week after missing nearly two months due to a concussion and posted a 31-save shutout in his return, but now it looks like the 29-year-old is going to miss some more time in the near future.

From those in NJ for #NHLJets morning skate— Steve Mason is day-to-day with lower body injury so Michael Hutchinson is headed back to join the team.
— Sara Orlesky (@saraorlesky) March 8, 2018

With Mason suffering an injury during the team’s morning skate on Thursday, the Jets were forced to recall Michael Hutchinson to serve as Connor Hellebuyck’s backup for Thursday’s tilt with the New Jersey Devils. However, that plan backfired pretty quickly due to something entirely out of their control.

Michael Hutchinson’s flight to NYC was delayed. As a result, the #NHLJets have signed goalie Zane Kalemba to a PTO. Kalemba played with captain Blake Wheeler with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL in 04-05.
— Winnipeg Jets PR (@WpgJetsPR) March 8, 2018

The Jets didn’t waste any time finding an emergency backup goalie for the game as they signed Blake Wheeler’s USHL teammate Zane Kalemba to a PTO, who happens to be the New Jersey Devils’ regular emergency backup.

Zane Kalemba is one of the regular emergency backups for #NJDevils and spent four seasons playing for Princeton in the NCAA before spending the bulk of his pro career in the ECHL and one overseas with the Manchester Storm #NHLJets
— Ken Wiebe (@WiebeSunSports) March 8, 2018

(H/T Twitter/WpgJetsPR)