The New Jersey Devils are in Winnipeg for Tuesday night’s game against the Jets, marking Connor Hellebuyck’s return to the city where he spent 11 seasons.
Hellebuyck won’t start. Although he wanted to play, the Devils chose Jake Allen, saying the move would protect their expected win probability. Hellebuyck did meet with Winnipeg reporters before the game.
The American goaltender won three Vezina Trophies in Winnipeg, along with the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player in 2024-25. That season, he also helped the Jets capture the Presidents’ Trophy.
His departure was not an easy one. Hellebuyck requested a trade, missed training camp and sat out the beginning of the season, leaving him and the Jets on strained terms. He had previously offered few details about wanting to leave, beyond saying he hoped to join a team he considered a contender.
On Tuesday, he described the choice as complicated and difficult, and said there was no single event behind it. Some matters away from the rink were part of the decision, he explained.
Hellebuyck said certain things involving his family had crossed a line. Asked whether he was blaming Winnipeg or its residents, he rejected that interpretation, noting that those involved might not have had any connection to the city.
He said he did not want similar incidents to happen again, and asked people to respect his family’s privacy. He mentioned online death threats but said there was more to the situation than that. Along with concerns about his career, the experiences left his family feeling uncomfortable, he said, and he decided a fresh start was best.
The Devils and Jets are scheduled to meet again in the coming weeks, so Hellebuyck may face more questions about his departure.
The 33-year-old from Michigan was a major part of the United States’ gold-medal run at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. He made 41 saves on 42 shots in an overtime win over Canada. Afterward, President Donald Trump announced that Hellebuyck would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor.
