Winnipeg Jets’ 2016 Top 25 Under 25: #5, Connor Hellebuyck

Overview:

What a year for Connor Hellebuyck. Starts the year with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL, and winds up being the # 1 goaltender for the Winnipeg Jets by mid season, due to an injured Ondrej Pavelec and the inconsistent play of Micheal Hutchinson. After being left out to dry on some nights, and standing on his head to make saves on others, the 6' 4" Hellebuyck solidified his stance as the netminder for the future. Hellebuyck is poised and ready to take over the Jets net, and has given it his all during the Jets training camp. However, the fans probably will have to withstand one last year of Pavelec between the pipes, as his contract expires at the end of this campaign. Until then, Hellebuyck will need to stay focused, sharp, and ready as his time to shine may come sooner than expected again, due to injury or trade.

Statistics:

AIH Authors' Thoughts:

Truck:

Connor Hellebuyck is the Winnipeg Jets best goalie and he will probably shoot even higher up this list when he proves it. I will be choked if he is sent to the AHL, but I won't be surprised. Andy:

If only this was the year of the Hellebuyck! Hellebuyck played very well when Pavelec went down due to injury. Heck, on some nights, he won the games by himself. Steady and poised, his played his net positioniung to a tee, and unfortunately for him, his defense sometimes left him high and dry, knowing that he can make those saves. The future is bright with Hellebuyck in the goal tending fold for years to come, and I do think he'll back up Pavelec this year, and challenge for the starters job my mid season. Ian:

Hellebuyck is our guy from here on out as far as I'm concerned. Last year he posted the best numbers out of all three goalies with similar playing time. I'll even make an insane prediction: Ondrej Pavelec will be waived and the Jets will eat the last year of his contract in the AHL. King Connor is here to save us all. Brian:

Alright, no reason Hellebuyck should't be starting this year, but we all know it's not going to be the case. Jets' management has a certain qualm with paying players to not play. That being said, Hellebuyck is such a great young player it's a crime that he isn't the starter. A good enough performance at the World Cup could sway the Jets into playing him more.

Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck pays tribute to Dan Snyder with mask design https://t.co/C8D5TW6sGv pic.twitter.com/G1Ei4ZdrLM

— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) October 4, 2016

360 view of Connor Hellebuyck’s goalie mask for the @NHLJets/@ManitobaMoose 2016-17 season by @Eyecandyair (cc @VaughnHockey/@Progoalie) pic.twitter.com/zDuMY0YCFd

— EYECANDYAIR (@Eyecandyair) October 3, 2016

Summary:

It's only a matter of time before Hellebuyck is the number 1 goalie in Jets colors. He's put up a strong competition against Pavelec and Micheal Hutchinson in training camp, and if sent to the Moose, Hellebuyck will be pushed by Eric Comrie as the Moose' # 1 this season. For those of you with an interest of seeing Hellebuyck in action, the Jets are playing the Edmonton Oilers in preseason action on Thursday, Oct 6th at 8pm CST on TSN3 in the Jets region, and Hellebuyck has been confirmed to be the Jets goaltender of choice for that game.

What do you think? Let us know below in the comments section. Cheers!