Why Connor Hellebuyck isn't playing tonight for Jets after Olympics
Why Connor Hellebuyck isn’t playing tonight for Jets after Olympics originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Connor Hellebuyck is now officially a gold medalist.
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The Team USA hero in goal made 41 saves in the gold medal game against Canada, only allowing one puck to cross the line.
Now, he’s set to return to NHL action with the Winnipeg Jets. Well, almost.
Hellebuyck isn’t playing on Wednesday night against the Vancouver Canucks.
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Why isn’t Connor Hellebuyck playing tonight?
Reports have indicated that Hellebuyck will meet the Jets in California, where they play the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night. This might’ve been the plan all along.
Hellebuyck is getting some extra rest.
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He was in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday night, where he was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Donald Trump.
It’s a rare honor that has only been given to 15 athletes.
Hellebuyck’s play in net to stave off the Canadians and earn the gold medal apparently earned him that medal, too.
The Jets didn’t want to rush him back and likely figured it made more sense to keep Hellebuyck fresh for the stretch run. They’ll need to lean on him a lot, so a day or two more to recharge might be crucial in the long run.