Asking to be traded from the Winnipeg Jets was an “extremely difficult decision” for Connor Hellebuyck and he will always be grateful for his time in Winnipeg. Those are some of the comments made by Hellebuyck in a letter that he shared Wednesday to Jets fans. “When I think about my years in Winnipeg, I’ll always be grateful for the life my family and I built and for the people who became such an important part of it. It’s where I grew as a player and where we started our family,” Hellebuyck said. Hellebuyck was drafted by the Jets in 2012 in the 5th round and would go on to win the Vezina Trophy three times as the league’s top goalie and was also named the NHL’s most valuable player in 2025, winning the Hart Trophy. He holds the franchise’s record for most wins with 345 and shutouts with 45. The star goalie requested to be traded at the end of last season and went public with the trade request months later. He then failed to report to training camp, which ultimately led the Jets to suspend him. Winnipeg traded Hellebuyck on Oct. 23 to the New Jersey Devils for a Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws, Alexander Command, Nick Bjugstad, a 2029 2nd round pick and a 2027 7th round pick. “I know my decision to request a trade was disappointing and frustrating for many people, especially those who supported me throughout my career. I understand those feelings, and I want everyone to know it was an extremely difficult decision,” he said. He notes several factors went into finally coming to the decision to leave, including “very challenging circumstances” that involved his family. “After a lot of thought and discussion, we ultimately felt that making a change was the best thing for our family. We’ve chosen to keep those personal circumstances private, and I hope people can respect that.” Hellebuyck said he loved his time in Winnipeg and Manitoba, mentioning his love for the “beautiful lakes” and the opportunities he had to go fishing. He thanked ownership, management, coaching staff and teammates for all the support and trust they’ve had in him over the years. “To the great Jets fans who supported me and my family, thank you. I’ll never forget the pride I felt representing Winnipeg, and I wish the Jets and the entire community nothing but the best.” Since joining the Devils, Hellebuyck has won three straight games with a 1.95 goals-against average and .900 save percentage. It won’t be long before Hellebuyck returns to Winnipeg, as the Devils are scheduled to visit Canada Life Centre on Nov. 10.
