Connor Hellebuyck, Jets’ star goalie, will miss several weeks due to injury
The Winnipeg Jets will be without their star goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck, for a period of four to six weeks due to 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 through the discomfort, but experienced pain after games. Both the Jets and the player felt it was the right time to address the injury, preventing it from being prolonged.
The operation 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 three Vezina trophies and has been a finalist five times.
In the current season, he has a record of 8-6-0 with a save percentage of .913 and a goals-against average of 2.51 in 14 games with the Jets, who are in third place in the Central Division with a points percentage of .632. His last appearance was on Saturday in Calgary, where he stopped 31 of 34 shots and then three more in the Jets’ shootout victory against the Flames.
Winnipeg has called up goaltender Thomas Milic from the AHL team, Manitoba Moose, and will pair with backup goaltender Eric Comrie during Hellebuyck’s absence.
It is expected that Hellebuyck will be the starting goaltender for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, to be held 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.
