Confidence has never been an issue for Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck. Unlike so many goalies, Hellebuyck wasn’t forced into the net because none of the other kids wanted to play the position. Hellebuyck wanted the net from a young age and that mentality has never changed.
Last year, in just his second NHL season, Hellebuyck was anointed the Jets’ starting goalie. He finished 18th in the league in games played (56) and wins (26). While it wasn’t a bad year for Hellebuyck, it wasn’t an overwhelming success either, leading the Jets to re-sign the restricted free agent to a one-year “show me” contract worth $2.