After months of rumors, longtime Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is formally prepared to maneuver on from the crew.
In a press release shared by his agent, Ray Petkau, on social media, Hellebuyck confirmed that he “privately requested a commerce” months in the past. He added that he needed to provide the crew time to discover choices whereas making an attempt to “deal with the state of affairs quietly and respectfully.”
“With coaching camp approaching, I felt it was necessary to publicly verify my request. My place has not modified, and I imagine shifting on is the perfect path ahead for me and my household,” Hellebuyck wrote.
A number of studies in June had indicated that Hellebuyck was sad in Winnipeg and prepared for a possible change. Later that month, Jets normal supervisor Kevin Cheveldayoff wouldn’t verify if the commerce rumors have been true, however did say that the crew was listening to gives for the 33-year-old goalie. Hellebuyck lastly offered some readability along with his assertion on Thursday.
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Born in Michigan, Hellebuyck was drafted by the Jets in 2012 after an beginner season with the Odessa Jackalopes. Within the assertion, the veteran netminder stated that he “gave every part he hand to show” that the crew made the suitable alternative.
“Winnipeg has been my residence for my total NHL profession, and I’ll at all times be thankful for my time there,” Hellebuyck wrote. “I admire every part Winnipeg Jets followers have meant to me all through my profession and hope a decision will be reached quickly.”
Hellebuyck additionally served as Crew USA’s beginning goalie within the 2026 Olympics, the place the crew received its first gold medal since 1980.
Hellebuyck made his NHL debut with the Jets in 2015, and have become the crew’s starter in 2017; that 12 months, the Jets made it to the convention finals for the primary time for the reason that crew returned to Winnipeg.
However within the years since, the Jets constantly struggled to advance far within the postseason — even within the 2024-25 season, when Winnipeg clinched the Presidents’ Trophy after ending with the perfect document within the league. Final 12 months, they did not make the playoffs in any respect.
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Winnipeg’s coaching camp begins later this month. Preseason video games for the NHL start on Sept. 19, forward of the 2026-27 common season beginning on Sept. 29.