Connor Hellebuyck is on a mission this season.
Not only is the Winnipeg Jets goaltender out to prove that his accomplishments last season weren't a fluke, but he's armed with the task of being the last line of defense on a team that is expected to play well into the spring.
"My goal is to prove, and I've always believed in myself, that I have the right people around me," said Hellebuyck, who signed a six-year, $37 million contract with the Jets on July 12. "I have the right agent and the right organization and the right trainer and the right goalie coaches to help me succeed. Anytime something falters, we know exactly what to fall back on."
Hellebuyck won 44 games last season, which tied with Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning for most in the NHL and set a record by a United States-born goalie in a single season (Tom Barrasso won 43 with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992-93). Hellebuyck also tied the NHL record for home wins in a season (30), set by Wayne Stephenson of the Philadelphia Flyers in 1975-76.
Hellebuyck's play helped the Jets (52-20-10) finish second in the Central Division and reach the Western Conference Final, where they lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games. Hellebuyck, who had a 2.36 goals-against average, a .924 save percentage and six shutouts, finished second in the Vezina Trophy voting behind Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators.
Those are the biggest reasons why Hellebuyck was selected as the preseason favorite to win the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goaltender, according to a panel of 18 NHL.com writers.
"[Hellebuyck] has always been projected in our mind as a number one goaltender and the goaltender of the future for us," Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said. "We're very excited we were able to come to a long-term agreement for now and the future."
Hellebuyck received five first-place votes and edged Vasilevskiy (seven first-place votes) by two points in the poll. Martin Jones of the San Jose Sharks (two first-place votes) finished third.
"I expect the most out of myself and I want everyone to expect the most out of me because I want to bring my A-plus game every single night," Hellebuyck said. "If it's not A-plus, (hopefully) it's good enough to win. That's the key for this team, everyone wanting to do more."
Voting totals (points awarded on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis): Connor Hellebuyck, Jets, 55 points (five first-place votes); Andrei Vasilevskiy, Lightning, 53 points (seven first-place votes); Martin Jones, Sharks, 30 points (two first-place votes); Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets, 28 points (three first-place votes); Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals, 18 points; Marc-Andre Fleury, Vegas Golden Knights, 17 points; Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings, 14 points (one first-place vote); Matt Murray, Penguins, 14 points; Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins, 13 points; Frederik Andersen, Toronto Maple Leafs, 12 points; Pekka Rinne, Predators, 11 points; John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks, 2 points; Roberto Luongo, Florida Panthers, 2 points; Antti Raanta, Arizona Coyotes; 1 point
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