Winnipeg Jets Suspend Star Goalie Connor Hellebuyck After Training Camp No-Show

The Winnipeg Jets have suspended star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck following his failure to report to the team's training camp, according to reporting by ESPN. The organization announced the suspension Wednesday night as the team prepared to open its camp in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

According to ESPN, the Jets did not immediately disclose the duration of the suspension. The team stated that general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is scheduled to address reporters regarding the situation on Thursday morning.

This development marks the latest chapter in an ongoing offseason saga involving the veteran goaltender. ESPN reported that Hellebuyck previously expressed a desire to leave the franchise that originally selected him in the 2012 NHL draft.

In late August, Hellebuyck released a statement through his agent, Ray Petkau, formally requesting a trade. Within that statement, the 2025 NHL MVP and three-time Vezina Trophy winner indicated that he had attempted to manage the situation quietly and respectfully while affording the organization time to evaluate alternative paths.

Hellebuyck's statement emphasized that his stance remained unchanged. He noted his belief that a departure represented the optimal direction for himself and his family, while expressing hope that an amicable resolution could be reached promptly.

The trade request placed considerable attention on how the Jets would manage the roster challenge heading into a new campaign. The franchise is looking to rebound following a season in which the team missed the postseason entirely.

Winnipeg finished eight points shy of securing the second and final Western Conference wild-card position. This came just a year after the club posted the top record in the National Hockey League, highlighting a sharp decline in team performance.

ESPN noted that multiple factors contributed to the Jets missing the playoffs for the first time in three seasons, chief among them being an extended injury absence for Hellebuyck himself.

The 33-year-old goaltender underwent a minor arthroscopic medical procedure in late November, which sidelined him for approximately one month. During his absence, the Jets struggled mightily, compiling a 3-10-1 record after having previously started the season with an 11-7 mark.

When he returned to the ice, Hellebuyck finished the campaign with a 23-23-11 record, accompanied by a 2.86 goals-against average and an .895 save percentage. His goals-against average marked his highest since the 2021-22 season, while his save percentage dropped below the .900 threshold for the first time in his professional career.

Despite his struggles at the club level, Hellebuyck experienced international success earlier in the calendar year. In February, he guided the United States men's national team to its first Olympic gold medal victory since 1980.

As the Jets open their training camp, Hellebuyck remains listed among the six goaltenders currently on the team's roster. Among the other netminders, Stuart Skinner brings significant NHL experience, having signed a two-year contract worth $3.75 million annually in free agency after previously playing for the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Additionally, 23-year-old Thomas Milic stands as the only other current Jets goaltender with NHL regular-season experience from the previous year, having appeared in three games while spending the bulk of the campaign with the Manitoba Moose in the American Hockey League.