Connor Hellebuyck named NHL’s second star of the week

By @StefanKubus –

He’s been having a breakout season, and this past week provided a glimpse of what Connor Hellebuyck has done between the pipes for the Winnipeg Jets.

Hellebuyck, a Commerce native and Walled Lake Northern High School alum, was named the NHL’s second star after stopping all but one shot he faced in two games this past week.

The 24-year-old netminder stopped 59 of 60 shots, while posting a 2-o-0 record, 0.48 goals-against average and .983 save percentage. Hellebuyck, Winnipeg’s fifth-round pick in 2012, made 30 saves and stopped both shootout attempts in a 2-1 win over Calgary on Saturday before posting a 29-save shutout against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday.

The wins improved Hellebuyck’s record to 25-6-6. He has four shutouts on the season now to complement a 2.29 goals-against average and .926 save percentage. Those marks all rank in the league’s top 10, as he continues to push his name into the Vezina Trophy conversation.

Winnipeg is currently leading the Central Division just past the season’s halfway point, while sitting second in the Western Conference.