Goalie Connor Hellebuyck sat quietly on the New Jersey Devils bench in Winnipeg on Tuesday.
His return to Winnipeg was the most anticipated game in the NHL season so far.
In February, Hellebuyck had led Team USA to Olympic hockey gold over Team Canada, denting his popularity in Canada. Then in September, Hellebuyck skipped camp, demanding a trade after 11 seasons as the Jets’ goalie.
Hellebuyck was suspended for 24 days, costing him nearly $1 million. In October, he was traded to New Jersey.
The NHL’s best goaltender and a former MVP went from hero to villain. Many hometown fans overlooked his leading the Jets to the Western Conference Finals in 2018 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Devils traded for Hellebuyck, and in return sent four players and two future draft selections to the Jets. Since joining New Jersey, Hellebuyck is a perfect 5–0 in the nets. The Devils are currently in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 26 points. Winnipeg, with 19 points, is in sixth place in the Central Division.
On Tuesday, the Devils were at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg for their only visit of this season. Jets fans were ready to voice their displeasure with their former hero. They wanted a Winnipeg victory, but they didn’t get all they wanted.
The Devils had announced Sunday that Hellebuyck wouldn’t start. New Jersey’s general manager Sunny Mehta put out a press release explaining the decision.
“This has been an organizational decision for us that we’ve debated at length. Connor Hellebuyck was adamant that he felt a duty to play on Tuesday in Winnipeg. However, in our estimation, playing in this game would potentially give us a reduction in our expected win probability. Even though Connor isn’t playing, at his request, we will coordinate a media availability after Tuesday’s morning skate at Canada Life Centre.”
Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets warms up prior to a game against the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden in Boston on March 19, 2026. (Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
“I’m disappointed but I understand. Selfishly I want to play but when you look at the team and what’s best for the team, I understand where they’re coming from. I love Winnipeg, and playing there again, and just face the music. Seeing the reaction, it would be nice but it’s out of my hands,” he told the media after game Nov. 8.
When the Devils hit the ice for their pregame warm-up, the Jets fans received the red meat they were hungry for. As soon as Devils jersey No. 37 reached the ice, a deafening chorus of boos rained down on the once godlike goalie. Signs of “Coward” and “Softer Than Charmin” filled the glass around New Jersey’s side of the rink. Hellebuyck could see firsthand how he had become a pariah in his former home rink.
That was all that Jets fans would get of Hellebuyck for the evening. During the three periods of play, the all-star goalie sat on the Devils bench. Jake Allen played the entire game in the Devils’ crease. Ironically, during the Jets’ 4–2 victory, those traded by New Jersey for Hellebuyck made the difference.
Dawson Mercer scored what would be the winning goal with 8:02 remaining in the third period. In goal for Winnipeg was Nico Daws. That was only Daws’s third game in net for the Jets since the October trade, and his first win with Winnipeg.
The Devils and Jets meet next (and for the last time this season) at New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Nov. 28. Unless sidelined by injury, the probability of Hellebuyck patrolling the Devils net two days post-Thanksgiving is high. Perhaps not the anticipated drama experienced in Winnipeg, but it will be closely watched nevertheless.
