Hellebuyck returns to Winnipeg but won’t start against Jets as Nico Dawes gets the crease

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Connor Hellebuyck will return to Winnipeg for the first time since he was traded from the Jets to the New Jersey Devils, but he won’t play in the Jets’ crease when the teams meet.

Speaking to media in Winnipeg, Hellebuyck said he requested the trade with his family’s safety in mind and asked for privacy, adding that there was more than “just online death threats” that made his family uncomfortable.

Hellebuyck did not provide details when asked by a reporter why he did not share evidence of what he said the Jets organization allegedly requested extra security for, saying his family “handle[s] our business very privately” and requesting people respect his and his family’s privacy.

Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff had earlier told media that the team requested extra security and that police were notified.

For the game, the Devils plan has Hellebuyck listed to back up Jake Allen, a decision Devils general manager Sunny Mehta made based on analytics, though Hellebuyck said he felt he had a “duty” to play and asked to start.

When Hellebuyck took to the ice for Devils pre-game warm-up at Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg fans made their feelings clear with loud boos and chants of “coward,” along with signs reading “Playoff Pylon,” “Quitter,” and “Hit the road Jack.”

New Jersey enters the matchup on a five-game win streak, and Hellebuyck is 5-0 since joining the club. Winnipeg, listed at 7-8-3, is looking to extend its win streak to four games with Nico Dawes getting the start against his old team.

Dawes is part of the return from the Hellebuyck trade that also included Winnipeg forward Dawson Mercer, prospect Alexander Command, injured forward Nick Bjugstad, a 2027 seventh-round pick, and a 2029 second-round pick.

Winnipeg head coach Scott Arniel said Monday he was frustrated Hellebuyck would not start, saying, “He gave up on us. It would be nice to finally be done with this,” while Hellebuyck responded that “from an emotional standpoint, that hurts,” but said he understands there are “a lot of emotions going on right now.”

Hellebuyck said he would follow his typical routine as a backup, staying in a video room rather than watching from the glass, and he said he expects “fans will” come up with “clever things” during a night he believes everyone will remember.

Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe said he would have liked Hellebuyck to man the crease from the beginning, but noted the schedule and that Mehta “made it pretty clear.”