Connor Hellebuyck’s first trip back to Winnipeg as a former Jet is almost here, and he’s not pretending it’s going to be routine.
The Devils are set to visit the Jets on November 10 at Canada Life Centre, marking Hellebuyck’s first return to Winnipeg since the trade that ended his 11-season run with the club. Tickets on Ticketmaster were listed from $171, with the highest price at $1,183, according to Radio-Canada.
Hellebuyck was dealt by Winnipeg on Oct. 23 to New Jersey in a package that brought back Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad, Nico Daws, the rights to Alexander Command, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick. The move came on the same day his unpaid suspension was set to expire after beginning Sept. 16, when he skipped training camp.
Just four days after the trade, Hellebuyck was already back in goal for the Devils, stopping 17 of 18 shots in a 5-1 win over the Stars in Dallas. It was his first NHL appearance since April 13.
After New Jersey’s 4-3 shootout win over Connor McDavid and the Oilers, Hellebuyck spoke about what’s ahead in Winnipeg.
“The majority of my best memories are there. I look forward to going back and seeing the place, how they react,” he said.
“But I do look forward ... I had a great time there," said Hellebuyck to ESPN.
The circumstances around his departure had been building for months. CBC News reported that Hellebuyck’s trade request came after online harassment directed at him and his family following his Olympic gold with Team USA in Milan and a visit to the White House. In September, Cheveldayoff said the situation had grown serious enough that team security and local police were involved, with extra monitoring around Hellebuyck’s Winnipeg home.
Inside the Jets room, there wasn’t much appetite for a sentimental reunion before the deal was done. Captain Adam Lowry said if Hellebuyck came back, “conversations are going to have to happen.”
Once Winnipeg moved him, Lowry said the uncertainty was finally gone.
“It was a bit of a cloud hanging over our heads. It’s nice we can look forward now.
We don’t have to keep talking about it. We’ve got guys that want to be here," said Lowry.
Mark Scheifele echoed that relief, while also acknowledging what Hellebuyck meant to the franchise.
“... just not having to answer questions and being able to move on with the team we have moving forward is good for clarity... He’s one of the best goalies in the world. Three Vezinas, Hart Trophy, a goalie that got us to some places, memories I’ll remember forever."
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