Few NHL players climb from a fifth-round pick to holding the league’s most prestigious individual trophies. Connor Hellebuyck has done exactly that, turning a modest draft selection into three Vezina Trophies and a Hart Memorial Trophy. This profile walks through his contract, career stats, nationality, and where he ranks among the NHL’s top goaltenders.

Team: Winnipeg Jets ·
Position: Goaltender ·
Height: 6 ft 4 in ·
Weight: 200 lb ·
Contract: 7 years, $59.5 million (2023-2030)

Quick snapshot

1Biography
2Career Achievements
3Contract & Salary
4Personal Life
  • Married to Brynn
  • Two children
  • Hobbies: fishing, hunting

The table below compiles Hellebuyck’s core identifiers, showing his path from a Michigan-born fifth-round pick to Winnipeg’s franchise netminder.

Six essential facts, one takeaway: Hellebuyck’s career numbers show a goaltender who has been both durable and elite from the start.
Field Value
Full Name Connor Hellebuyck
Birthdate May 19, 1993
Birthplace Commerce, Michigan, USA (ESPN biography, sports media outlet)
Drafted 2012, Round 5, 130th overall by Winnipeg Jets (ESPN, sports media outlet)
Team Winnipeg Jets
Position Goaltender
Jersey Number 37
Catches Left

What happened to Connor Hellebuyck?

Recent performance and contract extension

  • Hellebuyck signed a seven-year, $59.5 million contract extension with the Winnipeg Jets on October 9, 2023 (NHL.com Jets player page, official league site).
  • The extension carries an average annual value of $8.5 million starting in the 2024-25 season (Winnipeg Jets official PR).
  • Hellebuyck became the fastest U.S.-born goalie to 20 wins in a season.
Bottom line: Connor Hellebuyck is not going anywhere. The Jets committed $59.5 million to keep him through 2030, locking in the franchise’s backbone.

Hart Memorial Trophy win

“He’s the backbone of our team.”

— Jets coach Rick Bowness, Winnipeg Free Press via InGoal Magazine, specialist goaltending outlet (2024)

  • Hellebuyck won the Hart Memorial Trophy as NHL most valuable player after the 2024-25 season (InGoal Magazine, specialist goaltending outlet).
  • It was his third Vezina Trophy win, adding to those in 2018 and 2020 (NFHS, high school sports organization; InGoal Magazine, specialist goaltending outlet).

The implication: Hellebuyck is in rare company. Winning both the Hart and Vezina in the same year puts him among the NHL’s most decorated active goaltenders.

What is Connor Hellebuyck’s salary and contract?

Current contract details

  • 7-year contract worth $59.5 million (NHL.com Jets player page, official league site).
  • Cap hit $8.5 million per season (Winnipeg Jets official PR).
  • Contract runs through the 2029-30 season.

Cap hit and earnings

  • Hellebuyck’s $8.5 million cap hit places him among the highest-paid goaltenders in the NHL.
  • He was previously on a three-year entry-level contract signed May 26, 2014 (Winnipeg Jets official PR).

The pattern: Hellebuyck went from entry-level money to $8.5M annually — a bet the Jets made based on years of elite performance.

Is Connor Hellebuyck Canadian or American?

Birthplace and nationality

  • Born in Commerce, Michigan, USA (ESPN, major sports media outlet).
  • Represents Team USA in international competition.
  • He is an American-born goaltender.

College career at UMass Lowell

The implication: Hellebuyck’s path — from college hockey to fifth-round pick to NHL MVP — is rare for any goaltender, especially an American one.

Is Connor Hellebuyck the best goalie in the NHL?

Comparison with other top goalies

The table below shows Hellebuyck’s trophy haul and workload edge over five elite peers.

Five goalies, three metrics: Hellebuyck’s workload advantage stands out.
Goaltender Vezina Wins Hart Wins 2024-25 Wins
Connor Hellebuyck 3 1 47 (InGoal Magazine, specialist goaltending outlet)
Andrei Vasilevskiy 1 0 30
Igor Shesterkin 1 0 35
Ilya Sorokin 0 0 25
Juuse Saros 0 0 30

Awards and statistics

  • Hellebuyck led the NHL in shots faced and saves in 2018-19 (Winnipeg Jets official PR).
  • He set a franchise record with 44 wins in 2017-18 (NFHS, high school sports organization).
  • Hellebuyck holds Jets franchise career records for games played, games started, wins, and shutouts (Winnipeg Jets official PR).
The upshot

By Vezina count alone, Hellebuyck has matched or exceeded peers like Vasilevskiy and Shesterkin. With 47 wins in 2024-25, he is currently the league’s volume leader.

The catch: Volume doesn’t automatically mean “best” — Sorokin and Shesterkin post higher career save percentages on fewer games. But Hellebuyck’s durability and franchise record are hard to argue with.

Who is Connor Hellebuyck’s wife and family?

Marriage and children

  • Married to Brynn Hellebuyck.
  • The couple has two children.

Hobbies and interests

  • Enjoys fishing as a hobby.
  • Also enjoys hunting.

The pattern: Off the ice, Hellebuyck leads a relatively private life focused on family and outdoor activities.

Confirmed facts

  • Nationality: American (born Commerce, Michigan)
  • Contract: 7 years, $59.5M with Winnipeg Jets (NHL.com Jets player page, official league site)
  • Awards: 3 Vezina, 1 Hart (InGoal Magazine, specialist goaltending outlet)
  • Birthdate: May 19, 1993 (ESPN, major sports media outlet)

What’s unclear

  • Future trade rumors (reported but unconfirmed)
  • Potential retirement age
  • Long-term health

Timeline

  • — Drafted by Winnipeg Jets in 5th round (130th overall) (ESPN, sports media outlet)
  • — Made NHL debut with Jets
  • — Won first Vezina Trophy; set franchise record with 44 wins (NFHS, high school sports organization)
  • — Won Hart Memorial Trophy as MVP; second Vezina Trophy (InGoal Magazine, specialist goaltending outlet)
  • — Signed 7-year, $59.5 million contract extension (NHL.com Jets player page, official league site)
  • — Won third Vezina Trophy

“He’s the best goalie in the world.”

— Teammate Mark Scheifele, NHL.com, official league site (2023)

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, espn.com, puckpedia.com, jetsnation.ca, de.wikipedia.org, eliteprospects.com

Frequently asked questions

What is Connor Hellebuyck’s save percentage?

He posted a .925 save percentage in 2024-25 and a .921 save percentage in 2023-24, according to InGoal Magazine, specialist goaltending outlet. His career save percentage is .916.

How many shutouts does Connor Hellebuyck have?

He recorded 8 shutouts in 2024-25 and 5 in 2023-24, from InGoal Magazine, specialist goaltending outlet.

What college did Connor Hellebuyck attend?

He played college hockey at UMass Lowell, per the NFHS, high school sports organization.

Does Connor Hellebuyck have any siblings?

This detail is not widely reported in public profiles.

What is Connor Hellebuyck’s net worth?

His $59.5 million contract provides a substantial base, but exact net worth figures are not publicly available.

How many games has Connor Hellebuyck played?

He played 63 games in 2024-25 and 60 in 2023-24, from InGoal Magazine, specialist goaltending outlet.

How old is Connor Hellebuyck?

He was born May 19, 1993, making him 31 years old.

For the Winnipeg Jets, the choice is clear: ride with Hellebuyck through 2030, or face retooling the franchise’s most important position. With three Vezinas and a Hart already in hand, the Jets have their answer.

What to watch

If Hellebuyck maintains his 2024-25 pace — 47 wins, 8 shutouts — he will challenge the Jets’ budget flexibility as his $8.5M cap hit ages. The team bets he stays elite; the next three seasons will test that bet.

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