New Jersey Devils goaltender Connor Hellebuyck revealed Tuesday that threats against his family were a significant factor in his decision to request a trade from the Winnipeg Jets earlier this season. Hellebuyck, who played for the Jets for a decade, spoke to reporters in Winnipeg ahead of the Devils' game against his former team.
'There was some moments and some things that happened to my family that for me crossed the line,' Hellebuyck stated, declining to offer further details about the threats but confirming they extended beyond online messages. 'There's more that made me and my family uncomfortable. On top of some uncertainty with my career, I felt a change of scenery was best.'
Hellebuyck acknowledged that his departure from Winnipeg has drawn criticism, with some fans perceiving his actions as disloyal, particularly after he previously expressed a desire to finish his career with the team. He referenced a 2023 statement where he called himself a 'Jet for life,' but explained that unforeseen circumstances influenced his decision.
'I meant it, but I also didn't foresee the future that was going to happen,' Hellebuyck said. 'I've made my decision. I've made it clear, and I've sacrificed a lot to live by that decision.'
The 33-year-old netminder is concluding a notable 2026 season, which included winning an Olympic gold medal with Team USA. His tenure with the Jets also involved a suspension for failing to report to training camp before his trade to the Devils.
Since joining New Jersey, Hellebuyck has maintained a perfect 5-0 record, allowing fewer than two goals per game. His absence from the game in Winnipeg was attributed by coach Sheldon Keefe to a decision made by Devils GM Sunny Mehta, who reportedly wanted to avoid potentially impacting the team's win probability.