'No place I'd rather be': Jets forward Kyle Connor back at work after Olympic victory

Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor skates against the Dallas Stars during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

VANCOUVER — It’s been a whirlwind for Kyle Connor.

Just a few days after winning an Olympic gold medal with the U.S. men’s hockey team in Italy, Connor was back on the ice helping the Winnipeg Jets defeat the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 in overtime on Wednesday night.

“Crazy travel and all that,” said Connor, who scored one goal and had four shots against the Canucks. “There’s no place I’d rather be than back on the ice.”

Cole Perfetti, with his seventh goal of the season, scored 1:37 into 3-on-3 overtime to give the Jets the win.

Gabriel Vilardi also scored for the Jets (23-26-8). Mark Scheifele had two assists.

Drew O’Connor and Evander Kane scored for the Canucks (18-33-7). Brock Boeser, who celebrated his 29th birthday, collected an assist.

While Connor was hard at work, his Winnipeg teammate goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was still basking in a golden glow.

Hellebuyck made 41 saves in the U.S. win over Canada. He was one of the American players who visited President Donald Trump at the White House Tuesday afternoon and then received a standing ovation during the State of the Union address that night.

Trump also announced that Hellebuyck will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honour. Hellebuyck tapped his heart as those in the chamber applauded.

Hellebuyck is scheduled to join the Jets for their game Friday against the Ducks in Anaheim.

Connor smiled and politely said “no” when asked if he had any regrets about not attending the State of the Union.

He praised Hellebuyck for being awarded the Medal of Freedom.

“It’s awesome,” said the 29-year-old left winger who played two games for the U.S. during the Olympic tournament. “He’s an incredible player and a great person. To see him honoured like that, it’s pretty special.”

Earlier in the day, Jets forward Cole Koepke was careful when asked his thoughts about Hellebuyck’s delay in returning to the team.

“I’m not going to comment too much on that,” he said after the morning practice. “He played a great game, and he deserved to go and receive that award. We’re all supportive of him and he’ll be back when he’s back.”

Jets coach Scott Arniel praised the play of the line of Connor, Scheifele and Vilardi.

“Coming down the stretch, we’re going to need their offence,” said Arniel. “They were real good right from the get-go.

“The thing I like about (Connor), he’s one of our best trackers. He’s one of the guys that helps defend. He’s a real solid two-way player for us.”

Earlier in the day, Arniel said the plan always was for Eric Comrie to start against the Canucks after the Olympic break.

“We talked about this,” said Arniel. “Didn’t know the White House part of it was coming into it but at the end of the day he wasn’t playing tonight.”

Connor was also given the opportunity of not playing against the Canucks.

“He was like ‘nope, I’ll be at practice’ and he said (he) wanted to play the game right away,” said Arniel. “It’s great to see. He’s a big part of our group and a big leader on our hockey team.”

Arniel was impressed that Hellebuyck is the 44th athlete and first hockey player to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He joins a list that includes greats like Jesse Owens, Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan.

“To be the first hockey player is an amazing honour and one he can be awfully proud of,” said Arniel. “With the list of names on it, it’s pretty impressive.”

The win moved the Jets to 10 points back of the final wild-card playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Connor remains second in Jets scoring with 26 goals and 65 points.

Last season, Hellebuyck won his third Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender and the Hart Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player of the regular season.

Hellebuyck underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in November to repair an injury from training camp and returned to play in mid-December.

So far this season, he has a 13-16-7 record, a 2.79 goals against average and a .900 save percentage.

A cloud of politics hung over this year’s Olympics. Canada’s losses to the U.S. in both the men’s and women’s gold-medal games came at a time of Trump imposing tariffs on Canada and talking about the country becoming the 51st state.

Arniel said the Olympics stirred patriotic feelings for everyone participating but doubted players returning from the Games would carry any grudges into the dressing room.

“I just think that just kind of puts a light on how big the Olympics and how much it means to everybody to represent your country,” he said.

“But when you come back it’s a different mindset. The elite guys recognize they have to come back and need those teammates to help them have success.”


This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 25, 2026.

Jim Morris, The Canadian Press