From fifth-round pick to MVP: Key moments in Connor Hellebuyck’s Winnipeg Jets career

WINNIPEG — Connor Hellebuyck’s tenure with the Winnipeg Jets is over. The star goaltender was traded to New Jersey on Friday following a months-long standoff with the club.

From a fifth-round draft pick to NHL MVP and Olympic champion, here’s a look at the defining moments of his Jets career.

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June 23, 2012: Winnipeg selects Hellebuyck in the fifth round, 130th overall, of the NHL draft. He turns pro in 2014 after winning the Mike Richter Award as college hockey’s top goaltender at UMass-Lowell.

Nov. 27, 2015: Hellebuyck makes 14 saves in his NHL debut as Winnipeg beats Minnesota 3-1.

Dec. 27, 2015: Hellebuyck records his first NHL shutout in his ninth game, stopping 30 shots in a 1-0 win over Pittsburgh.

Oct. 10, 2016: Winnipeg places veteran Ondrej Pavelec on waivers, clearing the way for Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson to take over in net.

May 10, 2018: Hellebuyck makes 36 saves in a 5-1 Game 7 win over Nashville, sending Winnipeg to its first Western Conference final. He had recorded his first playoff shutout against Minnesota weeks earlier.

May 20, 2018: Winnipeg’s playoff run ends with a 2-1 loss to expansion Vegas in Game 5 of the Western Conference final. “I thought this was our year,” Hellebuyck says.

July 12, 2018: Hellebuyck signs a six-year, US$37-million contract after setting franchise single-season records for wins, shutouts and save percentage.

Sept. 21, 2020: Hellebuyck wins his first Vezina Trophy after leading NHL goaltenders in games played, shots faced, saves and shutouts.

Oct. 10, 2023: Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele sign matching seven-year, US$59.5-million extensions, cementing their futures with the Jets.

April 18, 2024: Winnipeg finishes with 52 wins and 110 points, matching its franchise record for victories. The Jets also earn the William M. Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals.

April 30, 2024: Colorado eliminates Winnipeg in five games, handing the Jets a second straight first-round playoff exit. Hellebuyck allows five goals on 31 shots in the deciding loss.

June 27, 2024: Hellebuyck wins his second Vezina Trophy after posting a 37-19-4 record, 2.39 goals-against average and .921 save percentage. He receives 31 of 32 first-place votes.

Jan. 7, 2025: Hellebuyck becomes the third-fastest goalie in NHL history to reach 300 wins and the fastest U.S.-born netminder to hit the milestone.

Feb. 20, 2025: Hellebuyck starts for the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off final, but Canada’s Connor McDavid scores in overtime for a 3-2 victory.

April 28, 2025: Hellebuyck is named a Vezina finalist amid criticism of his playoff performance after being pulled in consecutive losses to St. Louis. He vows to improve.

May 2, 2025: Hellebuyck is pulled for a third straight road game as St. Louis beats Winnipeg 5-2 in Game 6. Coach Scott Arniel defends his goalie, saying, “Tonight was not about Connor.”

May 17, 2025: Winnipeg’s season ends with a 2-1 overtime loss to Dallas in Game 6 of the second round. Hellebuyck makes 18 saves as the Presidents’ Trophy winners fall short of the Western Conference final.

June 12, 2025: Hellebuyck wins the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP and his second straight Vezina Trophy, the third of his career. He’s the first goalie to win the Hart since Montreal’s Carey Price in 2015.

Nov. 21, 2025: Winnipeg announces Hellebuyck will miss four to six weeks following arthroscopic knee surgery, less than three months before the Milan Olympics.

Feb. 22, 2026: Hellebuyck makes 41 saves as the United States beats Canada 2-1 in overtime for Olympic gold. It’s the Americans’ first men’s hockey title since 1980.

Feb. 24, 2026: Hellebuyck visits the White House with U.S. teammates and is recognized during U.S. President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. Trump announces Hellebuyck will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Hellebuyck later faces backlash in Winnipeg and online.

April 17, 2026: Hellebuyck calls Winnipeg’s season “unacceptable” after the Jets miss the playoffs a year after winning the Presidents’ Trophy. He finishes 23-23-11 with a .895 save percentage.

June 26, 2026: Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff confirms he’s listening to trade offers for Hellebuyck, but won’t say whether the goaltender has requested a move.

Aug. 27, 2026: Hellebuyck publicly requests a trade through agent Ray Petkau, revealing he privately asked to be moved several months earlier.

Sept. 16, 2026: Winnipeg suspends Hellebuyck after he fails to report to training camp, escalating the standoff between the goaltender and the club.

Sept. 27, 2026: Jets captain Adam Lowry says players are hurt by Hellebuyck’s decision, while Kyle Connor questions whether the goaltender could return without fully recommitting. Stuart Skinner takes over in net.

Oct. 23, 2026: Winnipeg trades Hellebuyck to New Jersey for forwards Dawson Mercer, Alexander Command and Nick Bjugstad, goaltender Nico Daws and two draft picks. He leaves with a 354-208-55 regular-season record, .916 save percentage, 2.58 goals-against average and 45 shutouts, along with a 24-34 playoff record.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2026.

The Canadian Press