Connor Hellebuyck says online death threats and his family were major factors in his Winnipeg trade demand.
“Some things happened to my family that, for me, crossed the line … and made that decision very certain,” he said, speaking to Winnipeg media on Tuesday during his first return to the city since he was traded Oct. 23.
His New Jersey Devils play the hometown Jets Tuesday evening, but Hellebuyck won’t be on the ice. Devils management announced Sunday that he woudn’t be playing.
Hellebuyck, 33, told reporters there was more to the trade decision than death threats alone, but “I won’t go deeper than that,” though he cryptically mentioned “some uncertainty” with his career.
That, combined with the need to “be a good husband and good father and do what’s best for my family,” underscored the need for “a change in scenery,” he said.
Had he chosen to return to Winnipeg, his family wouldn’t have been here with him, he said.
“I have two young kids and I want to be present as much as I can be.”
Hellebuyck wouldn’t say if the threats were actually from anyone in Winnipeg.
“I’ve loved my time here, but there are a few moments that I don’t want to see happen again,” he said Tuesday.
“There is more that made me and my family uncomfortable. I’m, please, going to ask you to respect my family’s privacy.”
The Michigan-born goalie led Team U.S.A. to Olympic gold over Team Canada in February, and Hellebuyck and several teammates then visited the White House. U.S. President Donald Trump gave the goalie the Presidential Medal of Freedom while anti-American sentiment was soaring in Canada due to tariffs and Trump’s references to making Canada the 51st state.
Jets management previously said the harassment Hellebuyck faced had escalated to the point where team security and local police were involved, with increased monitoring around his Winnipeg home.
The goalie never presented any details of what his family was experiencing, the team said.
“My family’s a very private family, and we handle our business very privately,” he said when asked why he hasn’t been forthcoming.
Hellebuyck spoke about “the love I have for this city” and his connection to the community and fans, and said he doesn’t want his departure to ruin that relationship.
“I’ve had all my career accomplishments here and I don’t want any of this to change any of that. I’m not going to project a few moments on the entire city,” he said.
Hellebuyck leaves the room after facing Winnipeg media for the first time since he requested a trade from the Jets. (John Woods/The Canadian Press)
“I started my family here. I grew up here and I’ve made a lot of connections here. I don’t want anyone to think I don’t love it here.”
Hellebuyck’s trade followed a prolonged and strained end to his career as a Jet and left many fans bitter.
He made his request just two years after committing to a seven-year contract extension and declaring, “I’m ready to be a Jet for life and bring a Cup to this city, because I truly believe we can get it done here.”
When the requested trade hadn’t been made before training camp started in fall, Hellebuyck failed to show up, so the Jets suspended him. He was traded the day that suspension was set to end.
Jets head coach Scott Arniel on Thursday said Hellebuyck “gave up on us.”
“Obviously, from an emotional standpoint, that hurts, but I understand. There’s a lot of emotions going on right now,” Hellebuyck said Tuesday. “I’m not going to tell anyone what’s right and what’s wrong on how you should feel and how you should act.
“To the people that feel that I’ve been disloyal, well there’s also a lot that I was not expecting to happen go on throughout this contract. The day that I said I was a Jet for life, I meant it, but I also didn’t foresee the future that was going to happen.”
There’s no doubt his life has changed in big ways since the Olympics, Hellebuyck said, but he wouldn’t say whether the trade decision had to do with moving back to the U.S.
“I don’t want to say that there is a border issue in this decision. I loved playing in Canada and I’m enjoying my time in New Jersey. I don’t want to have to pin anyone against each other,” he said.
“I know the sensitivity of what’s going on between the U.S. and Canada. I’ve made my decision. I’ve sacrificed a lot to live by that decision.”
On not playing Tuesday in front of the fans who cheered him for 11 seasons, Hellebuyck said he pushed to be the starting goalie.
“I felt it was my duty to play this game. I want to play,” he said, but he’s 14 days into a new team, “and they handle their business differently than I’m used to.”
They explained their decision and he said he respects that.
New Jersey general manager Sunny Mehta, in a statement posted online Sunday, said “playing in this game would potentially give us a reduction in our expected win probability,” despite Hellebuyck being undefeated so far in five games with the Devils.
After the trade, fans circled Nov. 10 on their calendars — the only visit by the Devils this season. The teams do meet up again on Nov. 28, when the Jets play in New Jersey.
Tickets for Tuesday’s game sold out quickly, and prices tripled for some seats, with many fans online gleefully expressing their desire to heckle and taunt Hellebuyck.
Jets fans are famous for having some of the loudest, wittiest and most creative roasts in the NHL.
“For me, and the entertainment side of things, I kind of look forward to seeing what this crowd’s reaction is. I’ve been on the other side of it. I know how awesome they are and how much they cherish their team,” he said.
The pre-game warmup might have been the only chance for Jets fans to see him. There’s no room for backup goalies on the visiting team’s bench in Canada Life Centre, so Hellebuyck won’t be sitting there.
Asked where he plans to watch the game, Hellebuyck said, “We’ll let that be a secret, I guess.”
New Jersey Devils goalie Connor Hellebuyck takes questions ahead of a game against the Jets in Winnipeg — his first appearance in the city since being traded to the Devils last month.
