Hellebuyck gets fourth all-star invitation

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/01/2024 (643 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SAN JOSE — Adam Lowry was quick to put things into perspective after he learned Connor Hellebuyck had been chosen to appear in the NHL All-Star Game for the fourth time.

“For me, I think he’s THE best, if not one of the best, of our generation,” said Lowry, whose Winnipeg Jets take on the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night. “Since I’ve come into the league, for 10 years, he’s been incredible. He does it every year. He plays an insane number of games.

“He comes to the rink every day with a positive attitude. He’s such a humble guy for the superstar that he is in this league. He gives us a chance to win every night.”

That’s part of the reason why Hellebuyck was among the first 32 players (one from each team) unveiled by the selection committee to participate in NHL All-Star weekend in Toronto early next month, while the final 12 players will be chosen by fan voting.

The Jets would have several candidates to join Hellebuyck, including defenceman Josh Morrissey and centre Mark Scheifele, each of whom is having an excellent season.

Kyle Connor would have been right in that mix as well, were it not for the knee injury that has sidelined him since Dec. 10.

Going into Thursday’s game, Hellebuyck was 18-6-3, with a .920 save percentage and 2.33 goals-against average while starting 28 of 37 contests to date.

Hellebuyck has clearly established himself among the elite at his position over the past number of years, so the fact he is having another outstanding campaign doesn’t come as breaking news.

Though it shouldn’t diminish the achievement either.

“The thing about Helly is that nothing stood out. He’s been the most consistent goalie in the last decade,” said Jets goalie Laurent Brossoit. “The most steady goalie. You know what you’re going to get and what you’re going to get is a lot of stability back there. He’s going to make all of the saves that he sees, he’s going to make all of the saves that you expect from a goalie, plus some others. And he’s going to make it look easy.

“He doesn’t actually get a lot of credit. In a lot of ways, it’s expected out of him nowadays, but that’s the ultimate compliment. He just does his business and then, all of a sudden, the media picks up on the numbers and what-not. But in the room, it just feels like another month for that guy.”

The numbers Brossoit refers to have been almost impossible to ignore, as Hellebuyck has only allowed three goals in one of his past 15 starts.

Jets goalie coach Wade Flaherty was happy to see Hellebuyck get the recognition and reward for his hard work.

As a goalie who concedes to being on the superstitious side, Flaherty prefers to let the play of his goalies do most of the talking.

During a span of somewhat uneven play during his first three starts, Hellebuyck allowed 13 goals and the Jets were sporting a 1-3 record going into a game against the Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 21.

“We had some conversations, but nothing out of the ordinary,” said Flaherty. “I wasn’t concerned about it, nor was he. That was a long time ago.”

It certainly is.

Hellebuyck was exceptional that night against the Oilers and he’s basically been on a roll ever since.

“He’s figured it out,” said Flaherty. “His preparation before the games, his focus, he’s doing all of the things he’s done in the past and he’s getting the results.”

Going into Thursday’s action, Hellebuyck was one of the big reasons the Jets continue to battle for top spot in the Central Division and Western Conference.

“It’s having the backbone of your team. We’ve had a heck of a run with how we’ve played defensively and he’s usually at the forefront of that,” said Jets defenceman Nate Schmidt. “Our D-zone coverage has changed for the better, but always having that safety valve back there, he’s just such a calming guy.”

That calm demeanour shouldn’t be confused with indifference.

“He’s so confident in himself,” said Jets forward Vladislav Namestnikov. “He’s not uptight, he’s always goofing around. Usually you see goalies keep to themselves, but he’s more with the team and that’s great to see.”

The strong start to the season also underscores the commitment the Jets made to signing both Hellebuyck and Scheifele to matching seven-year contract extensions just before the start of the regular season.

“I’ve been very lucky to play in front of (Hellebuyck) in a lot of years where we’ve been a lot looser defensively and given up way more high-danger chances and he never complains,” said Lowry. “He’s always hooting and hollering in practice. Off the ice, he’s just as nice and that speaks volumes to who he is as a person, what he brings to this locker room and how lucky we are to have been able to re-sign him.

“There are a lot of teams that are looking for a guy like Connor and we’ve been lucky to have him for eight, nine years and we’re lucky to have him for another seven after that.”

Even if the All-Star festivities are more of a showcase event, the Central Division team is also lucky to have him between the pipes this year as well.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X: @WiebesWorld