Star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck revealed that difficult family circumstances drove his request to be traded away from the Winnipeg Jets. In a message posted to Instagram on Wednesday, the former franchise cornerstone expressed gratitude to the team and its fan base following his move to the New Jersey Devils.
Hellebuyck acknowledged in his letter that his decision to ask for a trade disappointed many supporters in Winnipeg. “I understand those feelings, and I want everyone to know it was an extremely difficult decision,” he said. “After a lot of thought and discussion, we ultimately felt that making a change was the best thing for our family.”
He added, “We’ve chosen to keep those personal circumstances private, and I hope people can respect that.”
Trade Package and Departure Details
The three-time Vezina Trophy winner and 2024-25 league MVP was traded to New Jersey on Oct. 23. In exchange for the elite goaltender, the Jets received forwards Dawson Mercer, Alexander Command, and Nick Bjugstad, goalie Nico Daws, a 2027 seventh-round pick, and a 2029 second-round pick.
The trade ended a tense standoff that began a month earlier when Hellebuyck publicly asked for a trade. The Jets subsequently suspended him after he did not report to training camp. Despite how his tenure ended, Hellebuyck maintained a positive tone toward the organization’s leadership and personnel.
“I’m sincerely grateful to (co-owner) Mark Chipman, (GM) Kevin Cheveldayoff and the entire Jets organization for the opportunity they gave me and the trust they showed in me over the years,” he said. “To my teammates, coaches, trainers, equipment staff and everyone behind the scenes, thank you for your friendships, support and memories that I will always carry with me.”
He also highlighted his connection to local supporters and his enjoyment of the region’s outdoors during his time in Winnipeg. “To the great Jets fans who supported me and my family, thank you,” he said. “I’ll never forget the pride I felt representing Winnipeg, and I wish the Jets and the entire community nothing but the best.”
Hellebuyck is scheduled to play in Winnipeg on Tuesday when the Devils make their upcoming visit. His move reflects a growing trend of prominent American NHL stars seeking trades from Canadian clubs to teams in the United States, where players like former Senators captain Brady Tkachuk and former Canucks captain Quinn Hughes recently faced hostile receptions from fans upon returning to their former home arenas.
