Jets' Connor Hellebuyck Named Vezina Trophy Finalist
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) looks on during the national anthems before a game against the St. Louis Blues in game two of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has been named a Vezina Trophy finalist for the fourth time in his career, previously winning the award twice.
The 31-year-old was phenomenal from the first game of the regular season, leading the NHL in wins (47), goals against average (2.00) and shutouts (8) while finishing second in save percentage (.925) behind Toronto Maple Leafs' Anthony Stolarz, despite leading until the final game of the season.
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Hellebuyck has already brought home some hardware, winning the William M. Jennings trophy for the second consecutive season, this year alongside Eric Comrie.
Nominated alongside Hellebuyck are Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper and Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy. Kuemper finished the season ranking second in goals against average, one place ahead of Vasilevskiy and the pair were tied in third for save percentage.
Hellebuyck's 2024-25 campaign was so extraordinary that he is considered one of the favourites to be nominated for the Hart Trophy, and some have given him serious consideration to take home the award.
His current playoff performances haven't matched what he showed in the regular season, and he'll need to improve if the Jets have any chance of going on a long run, but his dominance in the regular season is receiving the attention it deserves.
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Scott Arniel:
Scott Arniel: "I am One Hundred Percent Confident in Connor Hellebuyck" The No. 1 seed Winnipeg Jets have gone from a 2-0 opening round series lead over the St. Louis Blues to a 2-2 tie.
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