The NHL has officially announced its award winners, and the Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is taking home three.
Hellebuyck’s manager and Steinbach’s own Ray Petkau says it’s been an exciting spring following a standout season and the celebration of these major award wins.
“Connor Hellebuyck won the Jennings Trophy, the Vezina Trophy, and the Hart Trophy,” says Petkau.
The Vezina Trophy is presented to the league’s top goaltender.
“That one is voted on by the NHL GMs and he received 31 of 32 possible first-place votes and the other the other GM was the second place.”
The Hart Trophy is awarded to the most valuable player in the NHL.
“So basically, the best hockey player in the world,” Petkau says. “Pretty exciting for Winnipeg and he chose to be here for the entirety of his career, which is really exciting. For Winnipeg to have the Most Valuable Player in the world is just fantastic. We've never had that before.”
Hellebuyck also earned the Jennings Trophy.
“Which really should be shared with Eric Comrie, but Comrie didn't get any games played, so it is the goals against, or the fewest goals scored in the NHL. It can be awarded to both goalies or one, it just depends on how many games they played.”
To recognize the achievement, a surprise celebration was organized. Petkau was tasked with keeping him away from home while preparations were underway.
“The best way to get Connor out of the house is to ask him if he wants to go fishing, which is what I did. So I came up with the little string of lies for Connor. I said, ‘Hey, I'm in town for a Hockey Canada thing in Windsor. I'm going to drive across the border to Detroit and meet with Steve Yzerman in the morning and then I have most of the morning and afternoon free, do you want to take me on the lake?’ And he was so excited.”
Planning for the surprise began two weeks in advance, with Hellebuyck eagerly anticipating the fishing trip.
“We were texting for two weeks just talking about the weather, and he promised me I was going to catch fish because I had never caught a fish before in my life. It was my role just to get him out of the house, and so he was more than happy to leave the house and get on the lake, which is right behind his house.”
After their afternoon of fishing, Petkau found a reason to lead Hellebuyck toward his backyard dock.
“As we were pulling up, he started noticing that there's quite a bit of action in the backyard of his home and he just looked over,” he explains. “He says, ‘Hey, did you plan something?’”
Hellebuyck was welcomed by friends and family, along with NHL representatives, as part of the celebration.
“The way we played it out is the first trophy was the Vezina, and the family was all around, the NHL trophy handlers came out with their white gloves, handing him the Vezina Trophy and so it was time for pictures.”
The final surprise involved Hellebuyck’s close friend and fellow goaltender Eric Comrie.
“He came out and was followed by the Hart Trophy, and he just came towards Connor and said, ‘Hey, where's the other trophy?’ And he was just kind of a big surprise. So Helle was shocked to see his good friend, probably his best friend Eric Comrie there with the Hart Trophy.”
With files from Corny Rempel
