Star Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck requests trade

Connor Hellebuyck, the Hart Trophy winner in 2025 and a three-time NHL goaltender of the year, has publicly requested a trade from the Winnipeg Jets. The 33-year-old goaltender informed his agent, Ray Petkau, of his desire to be traded "several months ago" in a statement posted on his X account. Hellebuyck gave the Winnipeg Jets time to consider his request but decided to go public as training camp approaches.

Hellebuyck expressed gratitude for his time with the Jets, stating that he has always been thankful for Winnipeg's support. He remembered June 23, 2012, when Winnipeg took a chance on him while he was playing in Odessa, Texas. Hellebuyck has been grateful for the opportunity to prove that the Jets made the right decision.

Prior to June’s NHL draft, Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff mentioned that he was considering offers for Hellebuyck, though he did not confirm that the goaltender had requested a trade. Hellebuyck, who was the NHL’s best in the 2024-25 season, helped the Jets achieve the best record in the league. He was rewarded with the Hart Trophy as league MVP and his third Vezina Trophy as top goaltender.

The 33-year-old played 57 games for Winnipeg, posting a 23-23-11 record, a 2.86 goals-against average, and an .895 save percentage.

Despite a relatively average season, Hellebuyck contributed to the United States' victory at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, where he made 41 saves in a 2-1 win over Canada. Over 625 career games with the Jets, Hellebuyck has a 345-208-55 record, a 2.58 goals-against average, a .916 save percentage, and 45 shutouts. He signed an eight-year, $59.5 million extension with Winnipeg in October 2023, with a salary cap hit of $8.5 million through 2031.

Hellebuyck's decision to seek a trade adds to the list of high-profile American players leaving Canadian NHL teams. This includes the departures of Brady Tkachuk from Ottawa, his brother Matthew from Calgary, and Quinn Hughes from Vancouver.