Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck has been named a Vezina finalist as top goalie in the NHL regular season four times in his career including in 2018, 2020, 2023 and now this past season. He took home the trophy back in 2020 for the first time and now he has a second one four years later.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
This year he was going up against Stanley Cup winning netminder Sergei Bobrovsky of the Panthers and the Canucks Thatcher Demko. While both of them had excellent regular seasons the voters gave the Michigan product the edge.
Of goalies who played more than 25 games during the 2023-24 campaign he had the second best save% at .921, the fourth best GAA at 2.39, he played the second most (60) of any goalie in the league and finished with the second most wins (37). And using goals saved above expected he finished in top spot with 33.1 according to the folks at Money Puck.
As well the team won the William Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals in the NHL and because Laurent Brossoit didn’t play enough games to qualify only Connor Hellebuyck’s name was listed on the award.
After winning this evening at the NHL Awards ceremony in Vegas he gave a shoutout to his teammates:
“This is an individual award but it’s not won individually”
And also to Jets fans:
“And finally I’d like to thank all the Winnipeg fans, especially the ones that showed up here tonight. Thank you guys. Your support is so appreciated. We need you guys and I appreciate you coming out.”
You can watch it here:
