Anticipation builds for 4 Nations Face-Off

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This article was published 06/02/2025 (270 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

All you had to do was look at the eagle and the USA logo on the goalie mask of Connor Hellebuyck to realize the 4 Nations Face-Off is just around the corner.

While Hellebuyck and the Winnipeg Jets are not looking past their final opponent before the NHL breaks for the best-on-best tournament next week, it’s clear the anticipation is building.

“It’s phenomenal. It’s a little more flash than I usually go for, and that’s great for this tournament,” said Hellebuyck, when asked about his mask after he unveiled it during Thursday’s workout. “It’s going to be fun hockey. There is a lot of skill on our team. And I haven’t put a whole lot of time into it because we’re still worrying about ourselves right now, but I got a couple days, a couple days of practice to really feel things out.”

Hellebuyck has one more start for the Jets — Friday night against the New York Islanders — before his focus shifts to the international game.

Given how well he’s played this season for the Jets, it seems fairly obvious Hellebuyck should give the United States a decisive edge in goal when the tournament, which also features Canada, Sweden and Finland, opens in Montreal on Feb. 12.

Chasing a third Vezina Trophy, Hellebuyck’s numbers are extraordinary (a 33-7-2 record, 2.02 goals-against average and .925 save percentage and six shutouts through a league-leading 42 starts). His high level of play should also provide a level of confidence for the Americans.

Jets left-winger Kyle Connor also figures to play a prominent role with the American squad.

He’s one of the NHL’s top scorers with 30 goals, and his 67 points leave him tied for sixth going into Thursday’s action.

Trying to figure out possible linemates for Connor is an interesting exercise, with options including NHL stars Auston Matthews, Jack Hughes, Jack Eichel or fellow Michigan product Dylan Larkin.

Connor, however, is prepared to just go with the flow and take things as they come.

“Any way you slice it, it’s going to be fun getting a chance to play with them,” said Connor. “I’m sure they’re (the coaches) going to mix it up, too, and kind of see what matches. Whatever the lines are, I’m just excited to get together with everybody and have a chance to represent your country.”

Regardless of who he ends up playing with, Connor said the most important step is trying to build chemistry and find a role in a short order of time.

“The biggest thing is just having the players that are on the team play to their specific skill set, to put them in positions to succeed,” said Connor. “Like I said, not over-coaching, almost, being able to read off each other but at the same time just having that free will and just being able to play hockey.”

Connor said communication surrounding event logistics has been ramping up over the past week or so, but the real fun is just around the corner.

As this is the first time NHL players will be participating in a best-on-best tournament since the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, it’s an opportunity for many of the game’s brightest stars to be on the same stage for the first time.

That should help heighten the focus, even if the tournament doesn’t carry the same sort of cache as the Olympics.

“It’s getting a chance to, one, play with guys I wouldn’t get a chance to play with and obviously just respect around the league,” said Connor. “Also going against some of the best players in the world, it elevates your game. You want to play against the best and I think everybody is kind of ramped up for this tournament.

“Everybody’s proud of where they came from, and I think that’s only going to ramp up and intensify as it comes, especially having it both in Montreal and the finals and a couple other games in Boston. The crowd’s going to be behind them for Canada obviously in Montreal and vice-versa in Boston.”

Team Canada figures to be a formidable foe, with Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey set to play a starring role on the back end.

Morrissey is enjoying another outstanding season and finds himself in the thick of the conversation surrounding the Norris Trophy.

With seven goals and 46 points through 55 games while averaging nearly 25 minutes of ice time per game and often going up against the other team’s most skilled offensive players, Morrissey and Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar figure to be leaned on heavily by head coach Jon Cooper.

In recent days, there have been several injury concerns popping up among Canada’s forward group, which leaves the door open for centre Mark Scheifele to be added as an emergency replacement.

While it will be a memorable event for the Jets players who participate — “I know it’s special for those guys to all get the opportunity to represent their country,” said Jets head coach Scott Arniel — how they apply what they learn from the experience when they return to their club for the stretch run and Stanley Cup playoffs will be equally — if not more — important.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld