The goalie whisperer

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This article was published 07/12/2016 (3274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Connor Hellebuyck, Michael Hutchinson and Wade Flaherty live on goalie island.

Hellebuyck is the presumptive No. 1 puckstopper of the Winnipeg Jets while Hutchinson is his backup. Flaherty, meanwhile, has been the club’s goaltending coach since the franchise relocated from Atlanta prior to the 2011-12 season.

They are a close bunch, discussing their craft constantly and reviewing video on a daily basis. It’s like a secret society with a restricted membership. Flaherty is a mentor and a friend.

“The relationship is built on trust,” says the 48-year-old Flaherty, who had a 20-year pro career including 120 games in the NHL.

“So, with that being said, I’ll have conversations with my goalies that I’m not running to the coaching staff and saying, ‘Hey, he said this.’ A lot of this stuff is kept internal, between the three of us. Because if they don’t trust me, we’re going to have problem.”

Friendship is at the very core of the relationship, too. This is crucial at times such as this, when Hellebuyck has started 16 of Winnipeg’s last 20 games and eight of the last 10. Professional jealousy could put the whole teammate dynamic in serious jeopardy.

“Hutch has a great attitude — he’s a great person,” says the 23-year-old Hellebuyck, who has a 10-9-0-1 record with a 2.67 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage.

“At this level, we’re mature enough. We know it’s a game, it’s a job, but at the end of the day, it’s not each other’s fault for what’s going on in our personal lives, it’s how the business goes. You’re not going to play every night. When I’m on the bench, I’m going to be his No. 1 fan.”

Says Flaherty: “It’s a healthy competition. The goalies are pulling for each other and want the other to have success and that’s what you want as a goalie coach… My part is to keep (Hutchinson) upbeat and ready for the next opportunity to get back in the net.”

While Hellebuyck has garnered most of the playing time in the past six weeks, Hutchinson has earned Flaherty’s respect by continuing to push his teammate in practice.

“It’s really the consistency of their practising,” says Flaherty. “You know what? Goalies are going to have their good days and their bad days… understanding the process you’re going through comes from that communication we’re talking about, and letting them know as best I can, the direction of everything.”

Hutchinson, 26, has been paying his dues for a while. For three seasons to begin his pro career in the Boston Bruins organization and now, in his third year with the Jets. In 11 games this season, he has a 3-4-0-2 record with a 3.05 GAA and a .898 save percentage.

“Flats and I have a good relationship and have since Day 1,” says Hutchinson. “Helly, as soon as you meet him, you start talking goalie talk and you’re pretty sure you’re going to get along with (him). It was pretty instant — the chemistry.”

Does it help neither is an established NHLer and both are at similar points in their careers?

Hellebuyck isn’t sure, but admits during his first season in the Jets organization, he enjoyed the benefits of playing with a veteran goaltender, Peter Budaj. Hellebuyck played in 58 games while Budaj saw the ice in only 19.

It was a nearly perfect introduction to pro hockey for a college guy from Commerce, Mich.

“I was with Budaj in St. John’s (in the AHL),” said Hellebuyck. “He treated me like a best friend, too. He’s a stellar guy and not everyone’s like that.

“I can’t really answer that question, but based on how goalies are, but there’s probably not too many problems out there.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14