Winnipeg Jets’ star goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, known for his Olympic gold medal and three Vezina trophies, has made a public trade request. Speculation about his future has been ongoing, and he confirmed that he privately asked for a trade from the Jets a few months back. Hellebuyck emphasized that he handled the situation discreetly to give the team time to consider its options but decided to make his request public with training camp approaching. The goalie expressed that moving on is the best decision for himself and his family while thanking Jets fans for their support throughout his career.
Hellebuyck, aged 33 and hailing from Michigan, achieved a remarkable feat by being named both the league’s MVP and top goalie in the 2024-25 NHL season. Despite this success, Jets’ general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has not provided any updates on Hellebuyck’s future with the team. Cheveldayoff acknowledged Hellebuyck’s desire for a change and praised his contributions to the organization over the years. He assured that the team will handle the situation thoughtfully.
In a statement, Hellebuyck reminisced about being drafted by the Jets in 2012 and reflected on the effort he put in to prove his worth to the team. Notably, Hellebuyck received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from U.S. President Donald Trump for his outstanding performance in the Olympic gold-medal game against Canada earlier this year. Additionally, Hellebuyck has been a Vezina Trophy finalist five times.
