Hellebuyck cites family safety in trade demand
New Jersey Devils goaltender Connor Hellebuyck returned to Winnipeg on Tuesday for the first time since his October trade, confirming that online death threats and safety concerns regarding his family drove his request to leave the Jets.
Hellebuyck told reporters that while multiple factors influenced his decision, specific incidents involving his family crossed a line, according to cbc.ca.
“Some things happened to my family that, for me, crossed the line … and made that decision very certain,” Hellebuyck said during his media availability.
He noted that the situation involved more than just online harassment, though he declined to provide further details, citing a need to protect his family’s privacy.
Security involvement in Winnipeg
The harassment Hellebuyck faced during his tenure in Winnipeg was severe enough to require intervention from team security and local law enforcement. According to cbc.ca, authorities increased monitoring around the goaltender’s residence as the situation escalated.
Hellebuyck, who previously committed to a seven-year contract extension in October 2023, stated that his departure was not a reflection of his feelings toward the city itself.
“I’ve loved my time here, but there are a few moments that I don’t want to see happen again,” he said. He emphasized that he did not want a “few moments” to define his entire relationship with the community where he started his family.
Jets head coach Scott Arniel shares his thoughts on Connor Hellebuyck not starting in his return to Winnipeg. pic.twitter.com/fSBrsqTvRl
Devils bench Hellebuyck against Jets
Despite Hellebuyck’s desire to start in his return to Canada Life Centre, New Jersey management opted to keep him on the bench. Devils general manager Sunny Mehta announced Sunday that Hellebuyck would not play, citing a potential “reduction in our expected win probability,” as reported by cbc.ca.
This decision drew public criticism from Jets head coach Scott Arniel. According to nhl.com, Arniel expressed disappointment that fans would not see Hellebuyck on the ice, noting that he had hoped to face the former Jet in the matchup. Jake Allen started in goal for New Jersey instead.
Hellebuyck faces career uncertainty after suspension and trade request
Hellebuyck’s exit from Winnipeg followed a strained offseason that included his failure to report to training camp on September 16 and a subsequent team suspension. The 33-year-old goalie, who backstopped Team U.S.A. to a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, told reporters that his life has changed a lot since that tournament.
While Hellebuyck acknowledged the complexities of being an American player in a Canadian market, he avoided pinning his trade request on national tensions. “I don’t want to say that there is a border issue in this decision,” he told reporters, per cbc.ca. The two teams are scheduled to face each other again on November 28 in New Jersey, a game where Hellebuyck is expected to play.
Questions regarding the transition
Why did the Devils decide not to play Hellebuyck against his former team? General manager Sunny Mehta stated that playing Hellebuyck in this specific game would potentially reduce the team’s expected win probability, despite the goaltender being undefeated in five games with the Devils. Hellebuyck confirmed he pushed to play but ultimately deferred to the team’s management decision.
What specific incidents led to the trade request? Hellebuyck confirmed that the decision was influenced by online death threats and other incidents involving his family that “crossed the line.” He declined to elaborate further, citing a need to protect his family’s privacy and stating he would not go deeper into the specifics of those events.
Will Hellebuyck face the Jets again this season? Yes, the New Jersey Devils are scheduled to play the Winnipeg Jets again on November 28 at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.
More on Connor Hellebuyck
“Right away, he very boldly said: ‘I feel it's my duty to play in this game.’ ” Connor Hellebuyck says he wants to face the music in Winnipeg. But the Devils looked at workload and conditioning and "win probability" and stressors and are denying a moment: https://t.co/lV2ckpcW0N pic.twitter.com/EAvhSX8UE9
“I've had all of my career accomplishments here, and I don't want any of this to change any of that.” In his return to Winnipeg, Connor Hellebuyck reflects on the city and his time as a Jet.https://t.co/qvD7scqGss
Hellebuyck not starting @ Winnipeg a ‘disappointment,’ Scott Arniel says. "This has been throughout the summer, it’s been through our training camp, it’s been all the way thru the trade & now it’s continued on. I was just kind of hoping it would be done.”https://t.co/BdHEMggtax”
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