Connor Hellebuyck cited online death threats and family concerns as major factors in his trade demand from the Winnipeg Jets.
Hellebuyck addressed reporters on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, in Winnipeg ahead of his team’s game against the Jets. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner and 2024-25 Hart Trophy recipient pointed to incidents involving his family that went beyond online harassment.
“There was some moments and some things that happened to my family that, for me, crossed the line and as a husband and a father, I felt made that decision very certain — that I needed to be a good husband and a good father and do what’s best for my family and my career,” Hellebuyck said.
The Michigan-born goaltender requested a trade in late August. He refused to report to Jets training camp in September, leading to a team suspension.
The 33-year-old netminder detailed that his family life became private while handling these circumstances. Selected in the fifth round with the 130th pick of the 2012 NHL Draft, Hellebuyck spent 11 seasons playing for the organization.
Across 625 games with the club from 2015 to 2026, he accumulated a regular-season record of 345-208-55, a 2.58 goals-against average, a .916 save percentage, and 45 shutouts. He established himself as the franchise leader in games played, shutouts, and total wins by a goaltender.
“I needed to be a good husband and good father, and do what’s best for my family and my career.” Connor Hellebuyck explained that some things his family experienced while in Winnipeg "crossed the line" and made his decision to request a trade "very certain". When asked about… pic.twitter.com/i8v5gBxMP5
Following the Olympic tournament in February, where the United States secured gold over Team Canada, Hellebuyck and several teammates visited the White House. Trump said during a speech that Hellebuyck would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“I'm sure it did a little bit. Is it fair? I don't think it matters if it's fair or not. Those are accomplishments that I will never apologize for and I will never speak negatively about,” Hellebuyck said when questioned by reporters regarding whether the honor made him a target for Canadian fans. He said that he never looked deeply into politics because his focus is playing hockey.
The Jets traded Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils on October 23, 2026, in exchange for forward Dawson Mercer, goalie Nico Daws, forward Nick Bjugstad, the rights to unsigned draft choice Alexander Command, a second-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft, and a seventh-round selection in the 2027 NHL Draft.
Hellebuyck posted a 5-0-0 record with a 1.96 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage with his new club. He made 23 saves in a 4-0 shutout against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday.
A statement from Devils GM Sunny Mehta on our game Tuesday in Winnipeg. pic.twitter.com/xrF8OBaHXe
Hellebuyck said that he enjoys both markets and declined to frame his departure as a border issue.
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“I've had all of my career accomplishments here, and I don't want any of this to change any of that.” In his return to Winnipeg, Connor Hellebuyck reflects on the city and his time as a Jet.https://t.co/qvD7scqGss
Hellebuyck not starting @ Winnipeg a ‘disappointment,’ Scott Arniel says. "This has been throughout the summer, it’s been through our training camp, it’s been all the way thru the trade & now it’s continued on. I was just kind of hoping it would be done.”https://t.co/BdHEMggtax
“Right away, he very boldly said: ‘I feel it's my duty to play in this game.’ ” Connor Hellebuyck says he wants to face the music in Winnipeg. But the Devils looked at workload and conditioning and "win probability" and stressors and are denying a moment: https://t.co/lV2ckpcW0N pic.twitter.com/EAvhSX8UE9