Connor Hellebuyck, Jets’ star goalie, out with injury
The Winnipeg Jets will be without their star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck for a period of four to six weeks. This is because the player will undergo a minor arthroscopic procedure on his knee, according to sources close to the team.
Hellebuyck has been dealing with this injury since training camp. Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel revealed that the goalie tried to play despite the discomfort, but felt pain after the games. Both the Jets and the star goaltender felt it was best to address the situation at this time to prevent the problem from dragging on.
The surgery is scheduled for Saturday.
Hellebuyck, 32, has been awarded the Vezina Trophy, which recognizes the NHL’s best goaltender, for two consecutive seasons. He was looking to become the first goaltender since Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek (1996-99) to win the award three times in a row.
In total, Hellebuyck has won the Vezina Trophy three times and has been a finalist for the award five times.
In the 14 games he has played with the Jets, he has an 8-6-0 record with a .913 save percentage and a 2.51 goals-against average. The Jets are in third place in the Central Division with a .632 points percentage. Hellebuyck’s last game was on Saturday in Calgary, where he stopped 31 of 34 shots and three more in the Jets’ victory over the Flames in the shootout.
Winnipeg has called up goaltender Thomas Milic from the AHL’s Manitoba Moose and is expected to pair with backup goaltender Eric Comrie during Hellebuyck’s absence.
Hellebuyck is expected to be Team USA’s starting goaltender at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy in February. He played that role for the Americans at the 4 Nations Face-Off last season, losing in the gold medal game against Canada.
