Jets Connor Hellebuyck: Riding the Olympic Rollercoaster
The Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck came into the 2026 Winter Olympics with a lot to prove—though he didn’t really need to prove anything. The Jets goalie has been Team USA’s steady hand between the pipes, and so far, he’s shown why he’s the No. 1 guy. From round-robin play to a tense quarterfinal against Sweden, Hellebuyck’s journey has been part grit, part calm poise, and all about keeping his team in the fight.
Hellebuyck had a solid start and kept on winning.
The start was solid. Against Latvia, Hellebuyck faced 18 shots and let in just one, then followed it up by stopping 17 against Germany, and later 23 of 24 in another win. He wasn’t always flashy, but he made the saves that mattered, giving the offence room to work. It wasn’t a stat line to drop jaws, but it was exactly what you want from a veteran netminder: reliability and focus under fire. Even when Jeremy Swayman got a start against Denmark, Hellebuyck was there, ready to step in whenever needed.
The quarterfinal against Sweden was the real test. Sweden brought a loaded lineup—Lucas Raymond on fire, Mika Zibanejad scoring, plus Rasmus Dahlin, Adrian Kempe, William Nylander, and Erik Karlsson buzzing all over the ice. Hellebuyck faced 29 shots, gave up one to Zibanejad, and stopped the other 28. USA eked out a 2-1 win in overtime. That’s the kind of performance that doesn’t just keep the scoreboard close—it lifts a team, boosts confidence, and makes every teammate a little more comfortable taking risks. It’s also exactly why Hellebuyck will start in the semifinals against Slovakia on Friday.
Hellebuyck’s Olympic journey so far has shown why he's a world-class goalie.
For Jets fans, and really any observer of high-level goaltending, Hellebuyck’s Olympic run is a reminder of why you pay attention to the crease. He’s not just reacting; he’s thinking, anticipating, and carrying his team through moments where one mistake can end the tournament. Through injuries, pressure, and NHL-level shooters in full flight, Hellebuyck is showing the value of experience, composure, and sheer work ethic on the world stage.
Win, lose, or overtime thriller, this has been a masterclass in how a goalie can anchor a team when the stakes are highest—and Hellebuyck isn’t done yet.