WINNIPEG – Training camp is underway for the Winnipeg Jets, but one player is noticeably absent. Connor Hellebuyck was suspended by the team Wednesday night after failing to report to training camp. He made his intentions clear on Aug. 27 when he went public with his request to be traded from the team, after privately making his intentions clear with the team after the season ended in April. “I have tried to handle the situation quietly and respectfully while giving the organization time to explore its options,” Hellebuyck said in a statement released by his agent, Ray Petkau. “My position has not changed, and I believe moving on is the best path forward for me and my family.” Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said he is continuing to look at different avenues to resolve this situation. “We have been dealing with it for a period of time now and just looking to find a resolution that works for both sides,” he said at a press conference Thursday. “Unfortunately, this situation is what it is.” Cheveldayoff said he was not interested in explaining Hellebuyck’s reasons for requesting a trade. “The choices that he makes are the choices that he makes,” he said. “A contract is a contract in the National Hockey League. Period. There are no side agreements; there are no gentlemen agreements. The league does not allow for that,” he added. “Any notion around that would not have any merit.” Cheveldayoff also said whether or not Hellebuyck wears a Jets uniform again is entirely up to the netminder. “No door is closed.” Hellebuyck was not happy with how the 2025-26 campaign ended in Winnipeg, only one season after the Jets won the Presidents’ Trophy, an award given to the team that finished the regular season with the most points. In October 2023, the 33-year-old netminder, who has been the team’s starting goalie since 2016, signed a seven-year, US$59.5-million contract extension through the 2030-31 season. He has five years remaining on the deal. After missing the playoffs last season, Hellebuyck was critical of Jets management, but before that said he made Winnipeg his home and likes being there. Players, fans react to trade demand Jets forward Kyle Connor called the situation “heartbreaking.” “It’s tough. It feels like we had such a special group. I can’t speak to the reason. Until we hear from the man, I’m not going to speculate on what it is, but yeah, I know there are a lot of guys in that room that are heartbroken.” Centre Mark Scheifele said he’s just focused on what’s ahead. “I just want to get back to playing hockey and focus on my task at hand and trying to be the best player that I can be,” he said. “(Hellebuyck) is the best goalie in the league, in the world, so obviously you want him to be your goalie, but at the end of the day, there’s a business side of things, and that’s not really my focus.” Some Jets fans didn’t mince words when asked about the situation. “It’s pretty disappointing,” said Sadie Reimer. “Show up for your teammates. You’ve been with these guys for so many years at this point. I personally feel he should be here.” “It’s very sad,” said Andrey Kharitonov. “It’s his personal decision and we have to respect that.” Others think he’s hurting more than just the team. “I would think he’s really hurting himself because staying out of shape … he could be the loser, because you could play and display yourself,” said Richard Lapp. “If you’re staying, pouting and sitting at home, you’re not doing anybody any good. It sort of favours the Jets.” Movement among U.S. Olympic team Hellebuyck helped the U.S. men’s hockey team win Olympic gold earlier this year, but drew criticism for attending the White House reception celebrating the victory, where U.S. President Donald Trump awarded him the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom. He is the latest high-profile American player seeking a move out of a Canadian market, following former Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, who was traded to the Florida Panthers in June. Former Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes was traded to the Minnesota Wild last year. Hellebuyck is the first NHL player in 27 years to be suspended for failing to report to training camp. In 1999, Alexei Yashin was suspended by the Ottawa Senators due to a contract holdout. The team suspended him for the entire 1999-2000 campaign. TSN reporter Danielle Bain said the move is “extremely significant.” “We haven’t seen this in many years, and the way that things kind of shake out, obviously Kevin Cheveldayoff wants to make sure it’s good deal for both sides, but that’s why there’s going to be a lot of noise surrounding this situation,” she said. Cheveldayoff said there is no timeline for a possible trade. The Jets had a relatively quiet off-season, adding defencemen Mario Ferraro from the San Jose Sharks, and goaltender Stuart Skinner from the Pittsburgh Penguins, which, at the time, only fuelled more questions about Hellebuyck’s future in Winnipeg.
