Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck earns Hart, Vezina trophies
June 13 - Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck captured both the NHL's Hart and Vezina trophies for his brilliance during the 2024-25 campaign.
The awards were announced on Thursday prior to Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final at the league's award show.
The Professional Hockey Writers' Association awards the Hart Trophy to the NHL player deemed most valuable to his team during the regular season. The Vezina Trophy goes to the top goalie.
Hellebuyck, a Michigan native, became the first goalkeeper to earn the Hart Trophy since the Montreal Canadiens' Carey Price in 2014-15. Moreover, he is just the fifth goalie to haul in the Vezina and Hart in the same year, joining Price, Jose Theodore (2001-02 Canadiens), Dominik Hasek (1996-97, 1997-98 Buffalo Sabres) and Jacques Plante (1961-62 Canadiens).
"Looking back, I'll probably picture this day as one of the greatest of my career," Hellebuyck said of receiving the two trophies.
Hellebuyck was a prohibitive favorite to win the Vezina. He earned 31 of 32 first-place votes, finishing well ahead of Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy. It was the 32-year old's third Vezina -- he also earned the award in 2019-20 and 2023-24.
The Hart voting was much closer, as Hellebuyck received 1,346 votes to Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl's 1,209.
Hellebuyck led Winnipeg to the Presidents' Trophy with the most points in the league (116). He amassed a league-high 47 wins and eight shutouts and paced qualified goalies in goals-against average (2.00) while posting the second-best save percentage (.925).
However, Hellebuyck struggled in the playoffs, recording a 6-7 record, a 3.08 GAA and a .866 save percentage. Winnipeg was ousted by the Dallas Stars in the second round.
--Field Level Media
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