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Winnipeg Jets Number Three Prospect: Connor Hellebuyck

By Andrei Lutz |

Today we reveal the Winnipeg Jets third best prospect in that of Connor Hellebuyck. A goaltender holds weight today at the third spot on our countdown, a goaltender who may eventually throw the entire Pavelec and Hutchinson battle out of the picture for many believe he is the future of goaltending in Winnipeg.

So who is Connor Hellebuyck?

Hellebuyck was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets during the 5th round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Hellebuyck has amassed some very impressive statistics over the past couple of the seasons that help in adding him to the conversation for not just being one of the Jets best prospects, but possibly their future starting goaltender as well.

During the 2011-2012 season in the NAHL he posted a 26-21-5 record with a GAA of 2.49 and a save percentage of .930. Hellebuyck would deliver some even more impressive statistics during the 2012-2013 season for U-Mass Lowell where he would go 23-3-0 with a GAA of 1.37 and save percentage of .952. Hellebuyck would follow up this impressive 2012-2013 season again the following season (2013-2015) where he would go 18-9-2 with a GAA of 1.79 and save percentage of .941.

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Winnipeg Jets /

Winnipeg Jets

Just this past season Hellebuyck would play in the AHL with the St. Johns Ice Caps. Hellebuyck posted a very solid season where he would go 28-22-5 with a GAA of 2.58 and save percentage of .921. While it may have been Hellebuyck’s worst season let it not be forgot that he posted these stats at the most professional level of hockey he had played in his career.

The Hockey Writers wrote an article about Hellebuyck earlier in the year where they laid out why they believed Hellebuyck to hold solid starting potential,

“He has perfect size listed at 6’4 and is a modern goaltender with good potential to become a starter at NHL level one day. Despite his size he is very agile and has quick legs. His calmness is very impressive for a 22 year old. Off the ice he is very calm too and his responses are always thoughtful.” –Dennis Schellenberg (The Hockey Writers)

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Fellow editor here at Hockey at the Forks (and may I add a tremendous writer) posted an article just recently about Hellebuyck and the Jets goaltending dilemma,

“He has already posted really good peripheral numbers in his one year in the American Hockey League (2.58 goals against average with a .921 save percentage in 58 games last season) and is coming off an even more spectacular performance with Team USA at the World Championships. If his play continues in the early going of this year, at some point he’s going to force a decision on the Jets.” –

For more on this article click here.

There is no doubt that Hellebuyck has amassed stats that warrant a good looking at when it comes to the Jets goaltending conversation and that his size and quickness make for him to hold huge potential at both the NHL and AHL levels of hockey. Hellebuyck will no doubt be a prospect we will be hearing about these next couple of seasons and may in fact be the next star of the Winnipeg Jets, placing him at third on our countdown!

What do you think? Did Hellebuyck deserve the third spot? Did someone else? Is he the future of goaltending in Winnipeg or is he overhyped? Comment below and join in on the discussion!

Next: Number Four

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