Connor Hellebuyck will face the media — but not his former teammates or Jets fans — when he returns to Winnipeg for the first time since his trade to the New Jersey Devils.
Hellebuyck, 33, has said he plans to explain his reasons for leaving Winnipeg when he speaks to reporters Tuesday following the Devils’ morning skate.
CBC News will livestream his news conference here and on CBC Gem and YouTube.
The skate takes place at 11:30 a.m., so the livestream is scheduled to begin around 12:15 p.m., though it’s not clear yet when Hellebuyck will start speaking.
New Jersey general manager Sunny Mehta announced Sunday, after Hellebuyck and his team posted a 4-0 shutout win over Toronto, that the star goaltender would not play in his first return to the city where he spent 11 NHL seasons.
“Playing in this game would potentially give us a reduction in our expected win probability,” Mehta’s statement said, despite Hellebuyck being undefeated so far in five games with the Devils.
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was traded to the New Jersey Devils late last month after 11 seasons with the Winnipeg Jets. (Seth Wenig/The Associated Press)
In his post-game interview on Sunday, Hellebuyck said he wanted to face his former team but understands the Devils’ decision and “it’s out of my hands.”
At Hellebuyck’s request, the team has co-ordinated a media availability after the morning skate at Canada Life Centre, Mehta’s statement said.
Backup goalies typically skate in the pre-game warmup, which might be the only chance for Jets fans to see him.
There’s no room for backup goalies on the visiting team’s bench in Canada Life Centre, so Hellebuyck won’t be exposed to greetings from the crowd during the game.
Hellebuyck’s trade out of Winnipeg followed a prolonged and strained end to his career as a Jet and has left many fans bitter.
He made his trade request at the end of last season, just two years after committing to a seven-year contract extension and declaring, “I’m ready to be a Jet for life and bring a Cup to this city, because I truly believe we can get it done here.”
Connor Hellebuyck posts open letter ‘to the great Jets fans’
When the requested trade hadn’t been made before training camp started in fall, Hellebuyck failed to show up, so the Jets suspended him.
He was traded the day that suspension was set to end.
Following the trade on Oct. 23, fans circled Nov. 10 on their calendars. It’s the only visit by the Devils this season, though the teams meet up again Nov. 28 when the Jets play in New Jersey.
Tickets for Tuesday’s game sold out quickly and prices tripled in some cases.
Jets fans and head coach Scott Arniel expressed disappointment that Hellebuyck is not suiting up for the game.
Winnipeg Jets head coach ‘disappointed’ Hellebuyck won’t play against former team
The Jets want closure for the organization and its fans, but now the issue is pushed down the road, Arniel said on Monday.
