The Winnipeg Jets will be without their star goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck, for the next four to six weeks as he undergoes knee surgery, the NHL team announced on Friday. Hellebuyck, who has a 2.51 goals-against average and .913 save percentage this season, has been playing through a lingering knee injury that has been affecting him since training camp.
Jets coach Scott Arniel mentioned that Hellebuyck had been dealing with the injury for some time, and the decision to have the procedure now was the right one. Hellebuyck, a key player for the Jets, won the Hart Trophy as the NHL MVP and his third Vezina Trophy as the top goaltender in the 2024-25 season.
The surgery timing is significant as it comes just before the Olympic men’s hockey tournament in Milan, Italy. While Hellebuyck was not initially named in the United States’ Olympic preliminary roster, he was expected to be added to the team. In his absence, Eric Comrie is set to step into the starting role for the Jets, boasting a 2.60 goals-against average and .908 save percentage this season.
To fill the void left by Hellebuyck, the Jets have called up goaltender Thomas Milic from the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.