Connor Hellebuyck, the star goaltender for the Winnipeg Jets, completed one of the most remarkable individual seasons by a goalie in recent NHL history, securing both the Hart and Vezina Trophies for the 2024-25 season. Despite his regular-season dominance, questions remain as his postseason performance faced intense scrutiny following the Jets’ playoff exit in the second round.
Hellebuyck’s historic achievements this season firmly establish him as the 2024-25 NHL Hart Trophy winner, rewarded for being the most valuable player to his team during the campaign.
A Rare Feat: Winning Both Hart and Vezina Trophies
Hellebuyck became only the fourth goaltender since the NHL expansion era to win the Hart Trophy, awarded by the Professional Hockey Writers Association to the league’s most valuable player. Additionally, he earned his second consecutive Vezina Trophy, voted as the league’s best goalie by NHL general managers, outperforming contenders such as Los Angeles’ Darcy Kuemper and Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy.
This marks Hellebuyck’s third overall Vezina win, placing him among an elite group of goaltenders who have captured the award at least three times since its current format began in the 1981-82 season.
Playoff Challenges Cast a Shadow Over Regular Season Success
Despite these major honors, Hellebuyck’s playoff difficulties remain a focal point for critics. His uneven performances were a significant factor in the Jets’ earlier-than-expected elimination from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, despite their status as the regular season’s top team. Multiple rounds included moments where the usually reliable goalie appeared off his game under pressure, fueling questions about his ability to translate regular-season excellence into postseason success.
However, as demonstrated by the powerful playoff runs of the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers en route to the Stanley Cup Final, success is rarely achieved by goaltending alone. A deep and balanced roster plays an essential role in navigating the playoffs, highlighting the Jets’ need for a more complete supporting cast to advance further.
Statistical Dominance: The Heart of Winnipeg’s Historic Season
Numerically, Hellebuyck’s impact on the Jets’ 2024-25 campaign was nothing short of extraordinary. He started 63 games and led the team to 47 victories—both franchise highs for a goaltender. His 47 wins edged him just one shy of the NHL record for most wins in a season, held jointly by Braden Holtby and Martin Brodeur, despite playing fewer games than the record holders.
With a 2.00 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage, and eight shutouts, Hellebuyck was far superior to his goaltending peers. He topped NHL netminders with 39.6 goals saved above expected, a margin exceeding 10 saves compared to the next closest goalie, according to MoneyPuck.com.
Joining an Elite Legacy of Goalie-MVPs
Hellebuyck’s season places him in rare company, as only five goaltenders in NHL history have won the Hart and Vezina Trophies in the same year, with Carey Price the last to do so in 2014-15. Overall, just seven goalies have ever won the Hart Trophy, with Dominik Hasek doing it twice.
His consistent excellence also earned him his fifth Vezina Trophy finalist nod in the last eight seasons, alongside winning his second consecutive William Jennings Trophy for being the top goalie on the NHL team that allowed the fewest goals in the regular season.
Outperforming League’s Top Scorers in MVP Vote
To claim the Hart Trophy, Hellebuyck had to demonstrate value beyond all other NHL players, not just goalies. He surpassed Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov, the season’s Art Ross Trophy winner with 122 points, and Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl, the Rocket Richard Trophy recipient for leading the league with 52 goals.
While Kucherov and Draisaitl were vital to their teams, the Jets’ defense-centered identity and regular season excellence owed much to Hellebuyck’s goaltending. No other player contributed more critically to the top team’s success or better embodied the winning style of the Jets this season.
Hellebuyck’s impact illustrated the truth behind the saying,
“your goalie is the most important player on the ice,”
showcasing why he earned every accolade from this regular season’s achievements.
Legacy and Outlook Beyond the Regular Season
The significance of Hellebuyck’s 2024-25 season extends well beyond his individual awards. His ability to shield the Jets through an intense and punishing regular season helped the team secure the Presidents’ Trophy with a franchise-record 56 wins. This milestone emphasizes just how much Hellebuyck carried his team on his back despite imperfections around him.
While his playoff shortcomings highlight the need for a stronger roster in Winnipeg’s postseason efforts, they do not diminish the monumental nature of his regular-season performance. Given his age and track record, fans and analysts remain hopeful that Hellebuyck can build on this historic year and elevate his game in future playoff runs.
Ultimately, Connor Hellebuyck’s 2024-25 campaign will be remembered as one of the finest goalie performances in NHL history, confirming his status among the sport’s elite and offering Winnipeg a foundation to build toward greater postseason success.