Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck keeping things status quo ahead of biggest tournament of his career

Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck has never represented the United States in best-on-best international competition. That’s about to change at the 4 Nations Face-Off this month.

He was part of Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey tournament, but served as the team’s third goalie. Two years prior, he took home top goalie honors with USA at the World Championship before ever playing an NHL game. Since then, he has only played in two games for the Americans, winning both of his starts at the 2017 World Championship behind veteran starter Jimmy Howard.

So this will be the biggest tournament of Hellebuyck’s career – and he’s looking forward to it.

“At this point in the season, start it. Let’s go. I’m ready, I’m waiting,” Hellebuyck told reporters on Monday morning. This is the most practice I’ve had in a long time, so for me, I just want to play some games and it’ll be fun.”

Hellebuyck, 31, is having one of the best seasons of his NHL career. He’s the runaway favorite to take home the Vezina Trophy, entering the 4 Nations Face-Off with a 34-7-2 record and a .925 save percentage. He’s a big reason why the Jets have been near the top of the standings all season long.

Now, he’s looking to help the United States win gold alongside fellow star goaltenders Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman. While the stakes might be different, Hellebuyck – the projected starter – isn’t preparing for the tournament any differently.

“I know there’s different systems going on, you need a little bit of time. But for a goaltender, it’s stop the puck,” Hellebuyck said. “For me, it’s just another day at the office. Obviously, the scheduling is opening up a little bit of free time and some practice time, which I haven’t had a whole lot of up to this point. So, I’m just going back to managing my game and doing what I know and how I know to manage myself.”

The United States will open the tournament up against Finland at 8:00 PM ET on Thursday evening. While a Game 1 starter hasn’t been named for the Americans, many expect Hellebuyck to go the distance as the Americans look to win gold in Boston next week.