Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck wins 2024-25 Hart Trophy

One of the best netminders in the NHL is being recognized as one of the best players in the league.

On Thursday, the league announced that Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is the 2025 recipient of the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s most valuable player.

Hellebuyck enters a rare air of excellence with the honor. He becomes just the eighth goaltender in NHL history to be named MVP, and the first since Montreal Canadiens legend Carey Price earned the distinction during the 2014-15. Hall of Famers such as Dominik Hasek (twice), Jacques Plante and Chuck Rayner have also won the award in the past.

Hellebuyck also becomes the first player in the history of the Winnipeg Jets, whether it be the original or current rendition of the franchise, to be taking home the Hart.

The Commerce, Michigan native was the odds-on favorite to win the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top netminder for the second year in a row, and third time in his career, thanks to an incredible 2024-25 season. He led the league in wins (47), save percentage (.925), goals-against average (2.00) and shutouts (8) during the regular season. Hellebuyck was also awarded the William M. Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals allowed for the second straight season.

Hellebuyck’s efforts led the Jets to have the best season in franchise history, winning a team-record 56 wins, clinching the President’s Trophy as the best team in the regular season for the first time. Unfortunately, it didn’t lead to a deep postseason run, as Winnipeg was knocked out in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Dallas Stars in six games.

Hellebuyck has been a mainstay in the Jets’ net since he entered the league during the 2015-16 season. He took the starting job and has never looked back. He helped the team make it as far as the Western Conference Final in 2018, and has backstopped the team to the postseason seven times in his career.