Another milestone in the career of Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck (Commerce, Michigan) who became the fastest U.S. born goalie to get to 20 wins in a season (did it in 26 games) as per NHL PR. He passed Frank Brimsek from Eveleth, Minnesota who had the previous record of 20 wins in 27 games set with the Bruins back in 1938-39. In the modern NHL the record was held by Ben Bishop of Denver, Colorado who set it in 28 games with the Lightning back in 2013-14.
Hellebuyck also became the first goalie this season to get to 20 wins. The next closest to him have 16 (Jake Oettinger in 23 games & Jacob Markstrom in 24). Not too shabby.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Of the 22 goalies who have played at least 20 games this season Hellebuyck has the best GAA (2.15) and the best save% (.926). For extra measure Moneypuck has his Goals Saved Above Expected as 18.4 (first in the NHL). He’s also tied for most shots faced this season.
Which is a lot of words to say: He’s pretty, pretty, pretty good.
Jets head coach Scott Arniel was asked before the game against the Canadiens by some visiting media from Montreal if Hellebuyck has hit another level or if this season is just business as usual to which he said:
“I knew a couple of years ago that he was a good goalie and I see it in practice every day. Obviously we see it in the games. I don’t know if he’s changed. He’s just been a great goalie. He still is. He is the elite goalie in the league. His preparation, his focus, how he goes about anything hasn’t changed from two and a half years ago when I came. He just has a different level. I know I hear often our players talk about that’s all they know, that’s all they’ve seen. He’s just been a world class goaltender here for a number of years. And it’s funny because you come to expect it when you have it in your backyard every night. And I’m just thankful we do have him.”
While we know his sole focus is winning the Stanley Cup for the Jets it seems like he will once again be in contention to add at least another Vezina to his trophy room and will likely garner some Hart votes although goalies do not traditionally win that award (only eight times with the last one being Carey Price in 2014-15).
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