SUBSCRIBE! Sign up for our daily newsletter and never miss a story!

FILE - Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stands by the net during a time out from play against the Dallas Stars in the first period of an NHL hockey game, April 2, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
By The Canadian Press

Connor Hellebuyck set for his New Jersey Devils debut as starter in net at Dallas

Oct 27, 2026 | 11:36 AM

DALLAS (AP) — Connor Hellebuyck is set to make his debut for the New Jersey Devils when the goaltender starts at Dallas on Tuesday night.

“He is going tonight, yes,” Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said after the team’s morning skate.

The start will come four days after the 33-year-old three-time Vezina Trophy winner was traded Friday to New Jersey after his suspension by the Winnipeg Jets for failing to report to training camp.

Hellebuyck spent 11 seasons with the Jets, including a Presidents’ Trophy-winning season in 2024-25, and helped the United States win gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics this year. A fifth-round draft pick in 2012 by Winnipeg, Hellebuyck is fifth on the U.S.-born goaltenders list with 345 career wins. Among U.S.-born goalies with 300 or more career starts, his .916 save percentage ranks fourth and 2.58 goals-against average ranks sixth.

“Sitting at home for so long was getting to me. For myself, I’m just really excited to play hockey again,” Hellebuyck said Saturday, when he spoke to reporters a day after the trade. “I’m joining a very skilled group. They brought me for a certain specific role. I’m really excited to fill that role, not only on the ice but off the ice as well.”

What's On
Here is What's On in Medicine Hat this weekend: October 23-25
Oct 23, 2026
Home Routes Concert Series
Bobby Dove brings honky-tonk sound to Medicine Hat Public Library
Oct 19, 2026
What's On
Here is What's On in Medicine Hat this weekend: October 16-18
Oct 16, 2026

Hellebuyck was skating in Michigan before the trade was completed. He has five seasons left on a seven-year contact with an annual salary cap hit of $8.5 million.

___

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

The Associated Press


by The Canadian Press

Our Community

What's On
Here is What's On in Medicine Hat this weekend: October 23-25
Oct 23, 2026
Home Routes Concert Series
Bobby Dove brings honky-tonk sound to Medicine Hat Public Library
Oct 19, 2026
What's On
Here is What's On in Medicine Hat this weekend: October 16-18
Oct 16, 2026
Smile Sundays
Medicine Hat runner set to represent Canada at Backyard Ultra World Team Championship
Oct 4, 2026
What's On
Here is What's On in Medicine Hat this weekend: October 2-4
Oct 2, 2026