Connor Hellebuyck is looking to add a major award to his trophy case.
The superstar goaltender for the Winnipeg Jets, a Michigan native from Commerce Township, was named one of the three finalists for the Hart Memorial Trophy on Thursday.
The Hart, generally considered the NHL’s MVP award, is presented “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team.” Oilers star forward Leon Draisaitl and Lightning standout Nikita Kucherov are also finalists.
This is Hellebuyck’s first time as a Hart finalist. The award is voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Hellebuyck, 31, led the league in wins (47), goals-against average (2.00) and shutouts (eight) and was second in save percentage (.925) among goalies to play at least 25 games.
He is a Vezina Trophy finalist (top goaltender) for the fifth time in eight seasons. He won the award in 2024 and 2020.
Hellebuyck, who attended Walled Lake Northern High School, is just the third goaltender to be a Hart finalist in the past ten seasons (Igor Shesterkin in 2021-22 and Sergei Bobrovsky in 2016-17).
Hellebuyck is vying to become only the fourth goalie in the expansion era (since 1967-68) to win the award, following Dominik Hasek (1996-97 and 1997-98), Jose Theodore (2001-02), and Carey Price (2014-15).
The Jets lead the Blues 3-2 in the first round of the playoffs. Game 6 is on Friday.
