19 hours ago
Jets Trio Named to Team USA Olympic Camp Roster
Winnipeg Jets Connor Hellebuyck, Kyle Connor and Neal Pionk all named to Team USA's Olympic Orientation Camp Roster.
As the countdown to the 2026 Winter Olympics continues, three key members of the Winnipeg Jets in Connor Hellebuyck, Kyle Connor, and Neal Pionk were all named to Team USA's Olympic Orientation Camp Roster on Tuesday.
USA Hockey (@usahockey) on X Introducing the 44 players who will attend the U.S. Men's Olympic Orientation Camp 🇺🇸 Details:
Hellebuyck stands at the forefront as the most notable name of the bunch as the 30-year-old goaltender is coming off a career-defining season with the Jets. Not only did he claim his second straight Vezina trophy, but he also won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player.
He posted an NHL-best 47 wins, along with eight shutouts and a 2.00 goals-against average with his dominance playing a key role in Winnipeg capturing the Presidents' Trophy with the league's best regular-season record.
Internationally, Hellebuyck has been a steady contributor for Team USA. He represented the United States at the 2015 IIHF World Championship and again at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, where he solidified his reputation as one of the country's top goaltenders. His elite-level consistency makes him the presumptive starter for Team USA in Milan, like he was during the Four Nations Face-Off.
On the offensive end, Kyle Connor remains one of the most underrated lethal American forwards in the NHL. The 28-year-old winger led the Jets in scoring last season, notching 41 goals and 56 assists for career-high 97 points in 82 games. His speed and scoring touch has long been a part of USA Hockey with Connor previously representing the U.S. at multiple levels, including the 2014 IIHF U18 World Championships and the 2016 World Championships.
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The Michigan native recieved a small role on Team USA during Four Nations but following the tournament, returned to Winnipeg and proceeded to tear up the rest of the league. He could be looked at for a more meaningful role and added minutes.
Neal Pionk, meanwhile, is a new name to the fold as he wasn't on Team USA for Four Nations and will look to bring his two-way presence to the American blue line. The defenseman anchored the Jets second pairing that helped the team secure the title of the league's best defence for the second consecutive season. Although his regular-season numbers weren't as flashy as his teammates', his steady play on the backend plus his experience make him invaluable.
Pionk has a history with Team USA, having won gold at the 2013 World Junior A Challenge and helping the senior squad earn bronze at the 2018 IIHF World Championships.
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These three Jets join a stacked Team USA core that includes marquee NHL names such as Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, and Dylan Larkin. With Hellebuyck anchoring the crease, Connor driving the offense, and Pionk holding the line defensively, the Jets' American core is poised to make a major impact in Milan. For Team USA, the road to gold may very well run through Winnipeg.
