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Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff will speak to reporters on Thursday morning after the team suspended star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck for failing to report to training camp. The Jets confirmed the press conference would take place at 10:30 a.m. CT, announcing the news through a social media post.
The team officially suspended Hellebuyck on Wednesday night. The move follows a public trade request from the goaltender, who announced on August 27 that he wanted to leave Winnipeg.
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Hellebuyck Breaks His Silence
In a statement posted on X by his agent, Ray Petkau, Hellebuyck revealed that he had privately asked for a trade “several months ago.” He added that he gave the organization time to handle the situation “quietly and respectfully” before going public.
Hellebuyck expressed gratitude toward the city and the franchise in his statement. “Winnipeg has been my home for my entire NHL career, and I will always be grateful for my time there,” he said. He also referenced the day the Jets drafted him, writing: “I have never forgotten June 23, 2012. That’s the day Winnipeg took a chance on a goalie playing in Odessa, Texas. I gave everything I had from that moment to prove that the Jets made the right decision.”
A Decorated Career in Winnipeg
Hellebuyck’s résumé makes him one of the most accomplished goaltenders in recent NHL history. During his time with the Jets, he earned three Vezina Trophies, one Hart Trophy and a U.S. Olympic gold medal.
His departure request therefore carries significant weight for the franchise. Losing a goaltender of his caliber would represent a major shift for the Jets heading into the new season.
Cheveldayoff Had Already Signaled Openness to a Trade
Cheveldayoff had previously acknowledged the situation, at least in part. Before June’s NHL draft, he confirmed that the Jets were listening to trade offers for Hellebuyck. However, at that time, he stopped short of confirming that the goaltender had formally requested a move.
Thursday’s press conference will give Cheveldayoff his first opportunity to publicly address the suspension and the broader situation surrounding Hellebuyck’s future with the club. The Jets have not yet indicated whether they plan to fulfill the trade request or resolve the standoff through other means.
