Longtime Jets netminder says moving on is best for family
Connor Hellebuyck has told the Winnipeg Jets and their supporters he wants to be traded, confirming a private request he says was made several months ago. The announcement, released through his agent on social media Thursday afternoon, makes official what hockey media and fans have long speculated about during the offseason.
Hellebuyck, a fifth-round pick of the Jets in 2012, spent 11 seasons in Winnipeg and became the face of the franchise in goal. In his statement he said he had tried to keep the matter private while allowing the organization to “explore its options,” but with training camp approaching he felt it was necessary to go public.
“Several months ago, I privately requested a trade. I have tried to handle the situation quietly and respectfully while giving the organization time to explore its options. With training camp approaching, I felt it was important to publicly confirm my request. My position has not changed, and I believe moving on is the best path forward for me and my family.”
The statement thanked Jets fans and recalled the day the franchise selected him in the 2012 NHL entry draft. Hellebuyck noted he has worked to show the club made the right decision when it took a chance on a player from Odessa, Texas.
Record in Winnipeg and accolades
Hellebuyck’s tenure in Winnipeg includes accolades and statistical milestones that underline his importance to the club.
- Seasons in Winnipeg: 11
- Wins: 345
- Shutouts: 45
- Goals-against average: 2.58
- Save percentage: .916
- Vezina Trophies: 3
- William M. Jennings Trophies: 2
- Hart Memorial Trophy: Winner in the 2024-25 season
| Category | Figure |
|---|---|
| Wins | 345 |
| Shutouts | 45 |
| GAA | 2.58 |
| Save percentage | .916 |
| Vezina Trophies | 3 |
Beyond the numbers, Hellebuyck reached a rare peak in 2024-25 when he won both the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender and the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s most valuable player, the season in which the Jets finished with the NHL’s best record for the first time in franchise history.
Organization responds, but no trade yet
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff acknowledged Hellebuyck’s public confirmation later Thursday and said the player has been frank with the organization about his desire for a change. Cheveldayoff called Hellebuyck “an important part of the Winnipeg Jets organization for many years” and said the club has “tremendous respect for what he has accomplished here.”
“He has been an important part of the Winnipeg Jets organization for many years, and we have tremendous respect for what he has accomplished here. While we continue to work through the situation in a thoughtful manner, there is no update at this time,” said Cheveldayoff.
Earlier in the offseason, Cheveldayoff said the team would listen to offers, but as of that time no calls had moved the organization to act. Thursday’s developments make clear the conversations are likely to intensify as teams and general managers reassess their goaltending situations ahead of the regular season.
What this means for Winnipeg
For Winnipeg, Hellebuyck’s decision places the franchise at a crossroads. The team must weigh the value of keeping an elite and decorated goaltender against Hellebuyck’s stated wish to leave for personal and family reasons. Any trade would reshape the roster and prompt questions about who starts in net come October and about the kind of return the Jets could reasonably expect on the market.
Fans and local stakeholders will be watching closely through training camp and the lead-up to the season. A high-profile trade would carry immediate sporting implications on the ice and emotional resonance off it — Hellebuyck has been a central figure in Winnipeg’s hockey identity for more than a decade.
In the short term, the organization’s public message is one of respect and deliberation; in the longer term, the Jets must balance competitive priorities with the reality of a player seeking a fresh start. As negotiations and discussions continue, Winnipeg’s hockey community will be looking for clarity on the club’s direction and its plan in goal.
