The Unique Brilliance of Connor Hellebuyck

Connor Hellebuyck was an easy choice for the 2024 Unmasked Goalie of the Year Award, but not just because the Winnipeg Jets workhorse No.1 also won his second Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goalie and led — or in came cases, almost lapped — the field statistically during the calendar year.

From Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, Hellebuyck led the NHL in wins (44) and shutouts (9, which is four more than any other goalie and the most in a calendar year since Carey Price and Devan Dubnyk in 2015), and his .926 save percentage was 11 points higher than Linus Ullmark in second place among goalies that played at least 35 games. (Anthony Stolarz had a .928 save percentage in 2024 but started 32 games, half of Hellebuyck’s total). Just as impressive is how often Hellebuyck plays at a time when most teams are trending more towards tandems. His 64 starts in 2024 trailed only Juuse Saros (65) of the Predators, and no goalie faced more shots (1,900) and made more saves (1,759) than Hellebuyck.

But it’s how Hellebuyck succeeds that makes him a perfect for an annual award created to recognize not only individual excellence but also themes that dominate the conversation about goaltending during the previous 12 months.

For Hellebuyck, it starts with how well he thinks and studies the game.