Connor Hellebuyck Nears Two Historic Career Milestones with Winnipeg Jets
Connor Hellebuyck has been an unsung hero at many points for the Winnipeg Jets, and now the 10-year veteran is closing in on a couple of very important achievements.
Since coming into the league in 2015, Connor Hellebuyck has been one of the best players the Winnipeg Jets have put out on any given night. Although he typically faces a ton of shots, Hellebuyck feels no pressure and often finds himself stopping 30-40 shots every night. He is a big reason why Winnipeg has found success in recent years, and while it has not translated to playoff success, he is a two-time Vezina Trophy Winner and has found himself in the MVP conversation a few times as well.
So it's unsurprising to hear that the Winnipeg netminder is coming up on a couple of historic career milestones. Not only is Hellebuyck searching for Win No. 300 this season, he's also on the lookout for his 40th career shutout:
Sitting only 22 wins away from 300, Hellebuyck will no doubt reach that milestone this season barring any injuries or a catastrophic downfall, and while shutouts are very dependent on a goaltender's ability, he also has to rely on his team to be able to contain the opposition in the hopes they don't overwhelm him and sneak one in (although he's generally used to that).
Drafted in the 5th Round by Winnipeg in 2012, Hellebuyck has a career 278-173-41 record to go along with a 2.61 GAA and .917 SV%, Hellebuyck is often the reason Winnipeg stays in games. Averaging nearly 2500 shots faced per game over his career, it's quite impressive how well Hellebuyck has managed to control the game even when being overwhelmed. He's picked up right where he left off last year, already 3-0-0 with a ridiculous 0.66 GAA and .976 SV% so far, only letting in two goals in three games and makes his 500th career start on Friday night:
Hellebuyck doesn't have the best postseason record though, at 18-27-0, and has struggled the last two seasons, but overall has more than respectable stats before 2022-23 and 2023-24. A 2.85 GAA and .910 SV% may not sound impressive, but you have to remember that last season he gave up 24 goals on 177 shots; so those numbers are massively skewed. Signing a 7-year extension last Fall, he is set to become a cornerstone of the Jets franchise if he isn't already.
Connor Hellebuyck is a two-time Vezina Winner, one-time William Jennings Trophy Winner, four-time All-Star, and also Winnipeg's franchise leader in wins, losses, saves, shots faced, goals against, shutouts, minutes played, and sits second in both goals-against average and save percentage. If he can add 300 wins and 40 shutouts to his already legendary career, then the Hall of Fame is the only stop left for Hellebuyck after all is said and done.
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Will Connor Hellebuyck reach 300 wins and 40 shutouts this season? | ||
