Learning on the job

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This article was published 01/03/2017 (3120 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s hockey’s version of the nature-versus-nurture debate.

Are elite goalies destined for stardom or do they require years of seasoning before they’re ready for primetime in the NHL? The answer, unfortunately, is both. There are rare cases where precocious talents such as Montreal’s Carey Price become dominate players as early as 21. The usual path is longer and more painful.

For every 22-year-old Matt Murray of the Pittsburgh Penguins or 23-year-old John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks, there are many more puckstoppers who reach an elite level later in their careers. Look no further than 27-year-old Martin Jones of the San Jose Sharks and 29-year-old Cam Talbot of the Edmonton Oilers, who have become established No. 1 goalies after several years of seasoning. The common bond between the two is both served as understudies to all-stars before being traded to teams in desperate need of a crease makeover.

Which brings us to the ongoing saga of Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets. Hellebuyck hasn’t played second fiddle to an NHL all-star and was thrust into the No. 1 role last fall when Jets demoted longtime starter Ondrej Pavelec to the minors.

Hellebuyck appears to have the size and athletic ability to thrive in the big leagues, but his sophomore season in the NHL has been rocky. There have been some outstanding performances but there have also been rough patches, much like Tuesday night when he was pulled after allowing five goals in 21 shots in a 6-5 loss to the Minnesota Wild.

Hellebuyck’s .907 save percentage and 2.87 goals-against average in 44 appearances are in the bottom half of the league’s goaltenders and his confidence seems like it’s been under siege at times. But shouldn’t that be expected?

How many 23-year-olds do you know who are completely self-assured and firmly established in their careers? It’s not a stretch to say the goaltending profession has a high burnout rate, but Hellebuyck said he has no plans to cave to the pressure.

“My expectations are always (to be) best goalie in the league, best in the world, whatever,” said Hellebuyck following Wednesday morning’s practice at the MTS Centre. “I’m sure every goalie’s like that. They want to be the best. I can’t worry about everyone else’s expectations on me. I need to go worry about mine — and that’s being the best every day. Once you strive for that, you’re going to get closer and closer to that and one day you’ll be comfortable in your skin and you’ll be happy where you are…

“I’ve been through hell and now I’ve come out and I like where I’m at. My game’s the best it’s ever been and If I continue to play this way, it’s going to be good enough.”

Hellebuyck admits it’s a work in progress and part of the getting better has been to deflect the impossibly high expectations of fans. He’s also tried to observe and learn from other successful NHLers, specifically Jones, Price and Mike Smith of the Arizona Coyotes.

“At the start it was everyone’s expectations and trying to live up to that,” said Hellebuyck. “Once I realized it doesn’t really matter what they think, I got here through what works for me. I don’t need to change that. I don’t need to be what they think is a perfect goalie. I need to be what is my perfect goalie and that’s what is going to bring success.”

Becoming a big-time goaltender involves a proper mental approach and Jets head coach Paul Maurice has seen what it takes to push into the elite ranks.

“Getting past the mindset that any one game defines you,” said Maurice. “You know, if you have a good game and you feel good and you say, ‘I’m there,’ and you have a tough game and it didn’t go your way and you say, ‘All is lost.’ It’s the body of work, always. To become a No. 1 guy you have to put enough in to keep getting yourself back into that. Everybody has tough nights. But the best have, it’s just the balance right there. They have so many more good nights than bad nights.”

So, is older usually better when it comes to goaltenders?

“In general I would agree with that,” said Maurice.

“You take a look at the spikes in their save percentage — it’s in the 25-, 26-(year-old range). To get to that, we don’t pull him out of the minors at 27. It’s not an age thing — it’s an experience thing. You need time in the net. You try to identify a guy you believe has enough talent and you bring him along and you get him time in the net and you keep working. Connor’s at the young age of that spectrum.”

The Jets has been accused of miscalculating their decision to demote Pavelec and elevate Hellebuyck, but club management has shown a willingness to live the pitfalls of introducing a large number of younger players, not just Hellebuyck.

Maurice was content to accept short-term pain for long-term gain.

“We think about (the goalie decision) all the time,” said Maurice.

“No, there were lots of things that went into that decision. I’ve been really clear. I’ve got no problem saying it was my decision that Ondrej would start in the minors and stay as long in the minors as he did… (Hellebuyck) had good games. He had some games that I think showed his inexperience, but, at his age, he should be inexperienced and that’s why he’s going in the net — to get some.”

Getting into games and learning the league is crucial but in a hockey-centric market like Winnipeg, Hellebuyck has been forced to adjust to the judgment of intensely critical fans.

“It’s pretty difficult,” said Hellebuyck. “That’s a whole new ball game, too, because people love to be harsh on you. You’ve got your fans, too, and they’re going to be pulling you up when you need to be picked up. At the end of the day, we’re all performers and they like to see (good) numbers and wins and all that stuff… I think that took a little bit of adjusting, too. Really realizing what they think isn’t going to change what I do. I’m going to keep going and play my game.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @sawa14