WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Connor Hellebuyck said Tuesday that things happened to his family that went beyond online death threats, and that those incidents, along with uncertainty about his career, led him to ask the Winnipeg Jets for a trade. The New Jersey Devils goaltender spoke after the team’s morning skate at Canada Life Centre, according to NHL.com.
Hellebuyck asked that his family’s privacy be respected and did not describe what happened. It was his first time speaking with Winnipeg reporters since his exit interview April 17, after the Jets missed the playoffs.
“I’m not going to project a few moments on an entire city,” Hellebuyck said.
After the United States beat Canada 2-1 in overtime for Olympic gold on Feb. 22, Hellebuyck joined teammates at the White House and at President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, where Trump said the goalie would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Hellebuyck said Tuesday that the honor likely made him a target with fans to some degree. In March, he said his wife had borne the brunt of the criticism, and on Nov. 4 he posted a letter to Jets fans citing challenging circumstances involving his family.
“Those are accomplishments that I will never apologize for,” Hellebuyck said.
Devils Keep Connor Hellebuyck Out Of Tuesday’s Game
Hellebuyck made 23 saves in a 4-0 win at Toronto on Sunday, his first shutout with New Jersey. After that game, Devils general manager Sunny Mehta announced that Hellebuyck would not play in Winnipeg, calling it an organizational decision. Mehta’s statement said playing him would potentially mean “a reduction in our expected win probability.” Devils coach Sheldon Keefe pointed to Hellebuyck’s workload after he missed training camp and the preseason.
Hellebuyck said he told Mehta and Keefe he felt a duty to play, and that he respected their decision. He is 5-0-0 with a 1.96 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage for New Jersey, and he is in the third season of a seven-year, $59.5 million extension he signed in October 2023. Jets coach Scott Arniel spoke with reporters Monday in Winnipeg.
“He just gave up on us,” Arniel said.
Hellebuyck said Tuesday that the comment hurt from an emotional standpoint.
Hellebuyck’s Exit From The Jets
Hellebuyck went public with his trade request Aug. 27, did not report to training camp, and was suspended by the Jets. On Oct. 23, the day the suspension was set to end, Winnipeg traded him to New Jersey for forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad, goaltender Nico Daws, the rights to Alexander Command, a 2029 second-round pick, and a 2027 seventh-rounder.
Winnipeg drafted Hellebuyck in the fifth round, 130th overall, in 2012. Over 11 seasons with the Jets, he went 345-208-55, won the Vezina Trophy three times, and won the Hart Trophy in 2024-25. In the 2025 playoffs, the Dallas Stars eliminated the Jets in the second round in Dallas. The Jets visit New Jersey on Nov. 28.
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