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Connor Hellebuyck practices 2-on-1 drill in net during on-ice training session, set in defensive zone

Pro Drills with Connor Hellebuyck

Kevin Woodley | | 3 min read
Key Takeaways
  • Connor Hellebuyck is statistically the NHL's best goaltender at defending 2-on-1 rush chances, and by a significant margin.
  • The Jets built a three-stage drill progression starting with stationary passers and shooters before adding motion and read-react elements.
  • Jets goalie coach Wade Flaherty designed the drill specifically to fix a rotation and lateral movement problem both Winnipeg goalies were experiencing.
  • Hellebuyck intentionally seeks drills where he gets scored on, viewing goals-against in practice as a sign the drill is effective and exposing real weaknesses.
  • Hellebuyck's lateral movement across the crease does not rely on backwards flow, a deliberate technical choice visible throughout his drill and game footage.

Connor Hellebuyck’s first two entries into Pro Reads have featured 2-on-1 rush chances (and there is third coming soon with a similar theme), in part because the Vezina Trophy winner is statistically the best in the NHL at managing these types of attacks, and by a large margin.

With that in mind, we also wanted to share a drill with the Winnipeg Jets star that isolated that type of attack, and Hellebuyck was kind enough to talk about some of his keys to it.

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