Jets goaltender Hellebuyck cements spectacular campaign with Hart, Vezina awards
Connor Hellebuyck’s trophy case just got a little more crowded. The Winnipeg Jets goaltender added to his collection by winning the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player for the first time in his career. This accolade comes on the heels of Hellebuyck also capturing the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender for the second consecutive season and third time overall.
Hellebuyck’s impressive season saw him lead the league with a 47-12-3 record, a stellar .925 save percentage, a 2.00 goals-against average, and eight shutouts. These outstanding stats solidified his case for the Hart Trophy, making him the first goalie to claim the award since Carey Price in 2015.
“It means a lot,” Hellebuyck said in a statement. “It’s one of those things that doesn’t get swung towards the goalies too often, so any time a goalie gets a sniff at it, you take notice … you look back at the year, it was just such a fun year and we had so much positivity around the locker-room and everyone was just kind of living in the moment and enjoying the year.”
In addition to his Hart Trophy win, Hellebuyck also secured the Vezina Trophy for the third time in his career. He received 31 of 32 first-place votes from the league’s general managers, beating out Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings.
Hellebuyck’s stellar performance in the regular season once again highlighted his status as one of the top goaltenders in the NHL. However, his playoff numbers did not quite match up to his regular-season success. Despite posting two shutouts, he struggled in the postseason, winning just six of 13 starts with an .866 save percentage and a 3.08 GAA.
While Hellebuyck’s individual accomplishments are certainly impressive, he also received support from his teammates throughout the season. The positive atmosphere in the locker room and the team’s overall success undoubtedly played a role in his standout performance on the ice.
With this latest round of accolades, Hellebuyck solidifies his place among the elite goaltenders in the NHL. His ability to consistently perform at a high level has earned him recognition as one of the league’s top players, and his dedication to his craft continues to set him apart from his peers.
As Hellebuyck looks ahead to the upcoming season, he will undoubtedly be focused on adding to his already impressive resume and leading the Winnipeg Jets to even greater success on the ice. With his combination of skill, determination, and leadership, there’s no doubt that he will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the NHL for years to come.
