The Winnipeg Jets received a major blow on Friday with the news that goaltender Connor Hellebuyck would be out long term with knee surgery. Hellebuyck is projected to be out four to six weeks.
How did Hellebuyck get hurt?
Hellebuyck’s knee has been bothering him since training camp. It was decided at this time that surgery was needed. According to Jets head coach Scott Arniel, Hellebuyck has been trying to play through the ailment, but it appears Hellebuyck’s knee was not getting any better.
Hellebuyck in 2025-26
The native of Commerce, Michigan, Hellebuyck has a record of eight wins and six losses with a goals against average of 2.51 and a save percentage of .913.
Statistics down from last season
Hellebuyck led the NHL last season in wins (47), goals against average (2.00), and shutouts (eight). He basically won the triple crown when it comes to statistics for NHL goaltenders. In addition to winning the Vezina Trophy, presented to the NHL’s top goaltender, Hellebuyck won the Hart Trophy, presented to the NHL’s most valuable player.
What goaltenders have won the Hart Trophy in the past?
In NHL history, Hellebuyck became the eighth goaltender all-time to win the Vezina Trophy. He followed Roy Worters of Toronto, Ontario (1929 with the New York Americans), Chuck Rayner of Sutherland, Saskatchewan (1950 with the New York Rangers), Al Rollins of Kincaid, Saskatchewan (1954 with the Chicago Blackhawks), Jacques Plante of Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel, Quebec (1962 with the Montreal Canadiens), Dominik Hasek of Pardubice, Czech Republic (1997 and 1998 with the Buffalo Sabres), Jose Theodore of Laval, Quebec (2002 with the Montreal Canadiens) and Carey Price of Vancouver, British Columbia (2015 with the Montreal Canadiens).
Who are the Jets goaltenders now?
Eric Comrie of Edmonton, Alberta will be the number one goalie. He is the half-brother of former Edmonton Oilers forward Mike Comrie, and son of famous Canadian businessman, Bill Comrie, who founded The Brick Furniture Store. Meanwhile, the Jets backup goaltender for the time being will be Thomas Milic of New Westminster, British Columbia.
This is Comrie’s sixth season with the Jets, and has four career shutouts (three with Winnipeg and one with the Buffalo Sabres). So far this season, he has a record of four wins and two losses with a goals against average of 2.84 and a save percentage of .899.
Milic, does not have a single NHL game under his belt. He was the Jets’s fifth round pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Milic has performed admirably with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League, with the Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL, and the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League. At this time, expect the Jets see what they have with the Comrie/Milic duo and not make any changes.
