Getting into the swing of things

Connor Hellebuyck admits his golf game is nowhere near trophy-winning form. When it comes to leisurely pursuits, the decorated Winnipeg Jets goaltender is much more comfortable with a fishing rod in his hands than a driver or putter.

“Way better. I put way more time in on the water,” he told the Free Press with a laugh.

Still, the NHL’s reigning MVP — and well-known master angler — was happy to spend a few hours away from the rink on Monday at St. Charles Country Club, teeing it up with teammates and local hockey fans as part of the Jets’ annual charity tournament.

“I just got in (to Winnipeg) a couple of days ago, so catching up with everyone is nice. This allows me to see everyone in the same area,” Hellebuyck said before hitting the course for the scramble.

“It kind of goes back to how close this community gets. Things like this help that.”

The 32-year-old Michigan native will soon be back in his element as training camp officially opens later this week, ushering in a fresh wave of expectations for both him and his team.

“I’m excited. We’ve got some new faces and some guys that are ready to build on what we did last year,” said Hellebuyck. “I’m really looking forward to the future here. Really, one day at a time.”

Hellebuyck is coming off a career year in which he captured a third Vezina Trophy and, for the first time, the Hart Trophy. He also claimed a second straight William Jennings Trophy as the Jets once again surrendered the fewest goals in the NHL over 82 regular-season games.

Winnipeg also hoisted the Central Division, Western Conference and Presidents’ Trophy banners for the first time in franchise history before bowing out in the second round of the playoffs to the Dallas Stars.

How might Hellebuyck and company follow all of that up?

“At this point, I’m not overthinking anything. I know the stuff that I want to work on and I’m not in any rush to get there,” said Hellebuyck, who is starting the second year of a seven-year contract extension he signed in 2023.

“I’m going to wipe all expectations of what happened last year and go in with an open mind and continue to build my game the way I want to build it.”

“You put one piece together at a time and you put your best foot forward every single day and you continue to build something magical. I’m going to wipe all expectations of what happened last year and go in with an open mind and continue to build my game the way I want to build it.”

A Stanley Cup remains the ultimate goal, and Hellebuyck’s playoff struggles have been well-documented. Not far behind is Olympic gold, which he’ll get the chance to chase in February when the NHL returns to the Winter Games for the first time since 2014.

Hellebuyck, who is as cerebral as they come, is ready for the challenge.

“I know exactly what I need to do and how to get there. Just the stress on the mind, that’s what the experience kind of takes away,” he said.

“I’m less stressed now and I’m very focused and motivated for what I’ve already done before. So I’ve just got to continue to fall back into that line and keep putting my best foot forward, really.”

As for the state of the Jets, Hellebuyck is excited to see what new additions such as Jonathan Toews can bring to the organization.

“I haven’t seen him skate yet, so I’m really looking forward to our first on-ice session together,” he said. “Just seeing how this whole group meshes together. I don’t think one guy is going to make or break our team. It’s going to be a combined effort from everyone who gets out there.”

Meanwhile, Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey is a little more at home on the links than Hellebuyck — as proven by the fact he won the team’s putting challenge.

“A true underdog story. It was the stuff of legend,” he said Monday, tongue firmly planted in cheek.

The 30-year-old defenceman also has Olympic ambitions, having recently attended Canada’s orientation camp in Calgary. Morrissey was part of the gold medal winning 4 Nations squad last winter, though illness kept him out of the dramatic final which saw Connor McDavid score the overtime winner against Hellebuyck.

That absence has only fuelled him.

“For sure, in the back of my mind, whether it was throughout this summer training, on the ice and obviously looking ahead to this year, that potential opportunity definitely was extra motivation,” he said.

“You want that much more to be part of a celebration after winning a gold medal at the Olympics.”

For now, Morrissey’s attention is on building off last season with a Jets team he believes is poised to take another step forward.

“There’s a great excitement level,” he said.

“Obviously there’s some changes with our team, but really excited about the guys we brought in. I think we might have more depth than ever in this organization. Everybody looks good. It’s a fun time of year. Keep trying to take those next steps as a group. That’s the ultimate goal here as we get started.”

“I grew up idolizing JT. I think back to 2010, when they won Olympic gold and the Stanley Cup in the same year.”

You can add Morrissey to the growing list of people excited to see what Toews might be able to bring to his hometown hockey team after a two-year health-related hiatus.

“I grew up idolizing JT. I think back to 2010, when they won Olympic gold and the Stanley Cup in the same year. I would have been in Grade 10. I loved watching Chicago with Duncan Keith and Jonathan and all those guys,” said Morrissey.

“I have played against him a lot, know a little bit about his story but it is pretty amazing that he is feeling great, that is first and foremost. He looks great on the ice. I think what he can bring in the locker room (is so much hockey IQ) as a three-time Stanley Cup champion, multi Olympic gold, the list goes on and on. The fact that he is feeling good and coming in it is exciting for us to add a player like that, with experience, leadership and ability.”

Jets training camp opens Wednesday with medicals and testing. On-ice sessions begin Thursday at Hockey For All Centre and are open to the public, though a free ticket is required for Saturday’s Fan Fest. Winnipeg will play six pre-season games, starting starting Sunday at Canada Life Centre against the Minnesota Wild.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg