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Meet the Newest New Jersey Devil: Connor Hellebuyck

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

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Meet the Newest New Jersey Devil: Connor Hellebuyck

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Jess Amato | Last updated Oct 24, 2026 9:35 AM ET

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The New Jersey Devils shocked the entire NHL with their trade on Oct. 23. Connor Hellebuyck’s suspension with the Winnipeg Jets was supposed to come to an end on Friday, which caused the team to come to a decision regarding what to do with the frustrated goaltender.

The Devils secured the goaltender at a hefty price. In exchange for Hellebuyck, the Devils gave Winnipeg Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad, Nico Daws, and Alexander Command, plus a seventh-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a second-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft. Let’s take a look at who the Devils are getting for such a big return.

Hellebuyck Spent 11 Seasons in Winnipeg

Hellebuyck was selected by Winnipeg in the fifth round, 130th overall, in the 2012 NHL Draft. He later went to college, playing two seasons at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell. From there, he moved on to the American Hockey League (AHL), where he played 58 games in the 2014-15 season with the St. John’s IceCaps.

In the 2015-16 season, Hellebuyck split his time between the Manitoba Moose, the Jets’ AHL team, and the Jets themselves. He played his first NHL game on Nov. 27, 2014, where he helped Winnipeg secure a win against the Minnesota Wild. Hellebuyck recorded his first shutout on Dec. 27, against the Pittsburgh Penguins. After this season, Hellebuyck played full-time in the NHL.

Hellebuyck has been a prime member of the Jets for the past 11 seasons. He is a highly celebrated goaltender, winning the Vezina Trophy three times, in 2019-20, 2023-24, and 2024-25.

Two seasons in a row, 2023-24 and 2024-25, Hellebuyck was awarded the William M. Jennings Trophy, which is given to the goaltender with the fewest goals against. In 2024-25, Hellebuyck also won the Hart Trophy, which is given to the most valuable player (MVP) of the regular season.

Hellebuyck also helped Team USA win the highest honor in the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics: the gold medal. He now joins the golden goal scorer himself, Jack Hughes, in New Jersey.

For a player selected so late in the draft, no one was expecting Hellebuyck to have the kind of career he has had so far. He proved everyone wrong and looks to continue to have a commanding performance, now with New Jersey.

What Hellebuyck Brings to the Devils

Hellebuyck provides the Devils with something they have needed since they traded Jacob Markstrom: a starting goaltender. New Jersey has Jake Allen, but he is best suited as a backup goaltender. This was the season that the Devils were going to utilize Daws within the goaltending tandem, but since he went to Winnipeg in exchange for Hellebuyck, that puts a stop to that potential.

Hellebuyck brings an expert level of goaltending the Devils desperately need. He can be their starting goaltender and provide necessary support on the backend. Allen has been decent for the Devils to start, especially after celebrating his 500th NHL game milestone. However, Hellebuyck will be the clear starter over Allen, providing support in goal more often.

Hellebuyck Adds to the Team Mehta Is Building

General manager Sunny Mehta stepped into the role in April and has already made great strides in upgrading the Devils at forward, acquiring Amadeus Lombardi, Luke Evangelista, Jesper Boqvist, and Evan Rodrigues.

Mehta has stated his goal is to win a Stanley Cup as the Devils GM. The Devils might just have a chance to push for the Cup in his first season in the role after upgrading the team at forward and now upgrading in goaltending.

This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission.

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