The Winnipeg Jets’ top goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, will be sidelined for four to six weeks as he undergoes knee arthroscopic surgery, the NHL franchise revealed on Friday. Hellebuyck, holding an 8-6-0 record this season with a 2.51 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage, has been playing through a knee issue, as confirmed by Jets head coach Scott Arniel. Arniel mentioned that Hellebuyck has been dealing with this lingering injury since training camp. Despite trying to push through it, the timing is now optimal for him to address the problem.
Notably, Hellebuyck earned his first Hart Trophy as NHL MVP and his third Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender in the 2024-25 season, when the Jets had the best regular-season record. The surgery occurs just before the Olympic men’s hockey tournament in Milan, Italy, set to start in less than three months. Although Hellebuyck was not in the initial group of six players named to the United States’ Olympic preliminary roster, he was widely expected to be added to the team.
During Hellebuyck’s absence, Eric Comrie is anticipated to step into the starting goalie position for the Jets. Comrie boasts a 4-1 record this season with a 2.60 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. To fill the void left by Hellebuyck, the Jets have summoned goalie Thomas Milic from the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.