The 2023 NHL All-Star Weekend is upon us, and representing the Winnipeg Jets at his third All-Star Game is goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who earned the fan’s vote. He will be joined by Josh Morrissey, who is having the best season of his career.
Hellebuyck leads the league in minutes played (2378:00), games played (40), and saves (1164). The 29-year-old has 24 wins and a save percentage (SV%) of .923—a career-best. Now in his eighth full season with the Jets, he was the runner-up for the Vezina Trophy in 2018 and won it in 2020, so it’s no surprise that this is his third appearance. As we head into the weekend, here’s a look at Hellebuyck’s All-Star journey.
His First NHL All-Star Game Appearance
In 2018, Hellebuyck earned his first All-Star spot along with former captain Blake Wheeler. That year, the event was hosted by the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Amalie Arena.
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He was only 24 when he was selected for the 2018 All-Star Game, but he earned it with 23 wins, ranked third in the league, and was tied for fourth in shutouts with three. Amongst goaltenders who played a minimum of 15 games, Hellebuyck had a .788 winning percentage (ranked second), a 2.36 goals-against average (GAA) (ranked seventh), and a .923 SV% (ranked 10th). Heading into the weekend, over his team’s last nine games, they were 7-0-2 and Hellebuyck had a .940 SV%, two shutouts, and a 1.86 GAA.
Hellebuyck’s 2020 All-Star Weekend Diary
The St. Louis Blues hosted the 2020 All-Star Game at the Enterprise Center, and it was Hellebuyck’s second appearance. He was 26 years old, playing in his fifth NHL season, leading the league in shutouts (three), wins (17), and had a .923 SV%. He also kept a diary to note every detail of the few days he spent in St. Louis.
Hellebuyck participated in the Bud Light NHL Save Streak during the Skills Competition and made four consecutive saves to tie for sixth place with Tristan Jarry of the Pittsburgh Penguins and David Rittich of the Calgary Flames. The Blues’ Jordan Binnington won the competition.
In his diary, Hellebuyck noted, “I made three saves, and then Leon Draisaitl scored on me, and then three more saves, and Connor McDavid scored. Those Edmonton guys are…
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