Connor Hellebuyck

Connor Charles Hellebuyck ( HEL-ə-buk; born May 19, 1993) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a goaltender for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). After playing one season in the North American Hockey League with the Odessa Jackalopes, Hellebuyck was selected by the Jets in the fifth round, 130th overall, of the 2012 NHL entry draft. He spent two years with the UMass Lowell River Hawks, where he received the inaugural Mike Richter Award as the top goaltender in college hockey. Hellebuyck started his professional career during 2014–15 season with the Jets' American Hockey League affiliate, the St. John's IceCaps. Hellebuyck began as a starter with the Jets during the 2016–17 season, where he quickly amassed success. Considered one of the best goaltenders in the NHL, Hellebuyck is a Hart Memorial Trophy winner as the league's most valuable player, three-time Vezina Trophy winner as the best goaltender in the league, and two-time William M. Jennings Trophy winner for allowing the fewest goals against. Internationally, Hellebuyck represents the United States. At the 2026 Winter Olympics, he was their starting goaltender, helping them win Olympic gold for the first time since 1980, making 41 saves in a 2–1 victory, including recording an assist on the game winning goal by Jack Hughes. For his outstanding performance, U . President Donald Trump announced he would award Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. For his performance at the Olympics, he earned the nickname "The Secretary of Defense".