Connor Hellebuyck Achieves Historic NHL Honors with Hart and Vezina Trophies

In a remarkable achievement for the 2024-25 NHL season, Connor Hellebuyck, the goaltender for the Winnipeg Jets, has secured both the Hart Trophy and the Vezina Trophy, marking an unprecedented feat in the league's recent history. This accolade places Hellebuyck among an elite group of goalies, as he becomes the first netminder since Carey Price in 2015 to capture the Hart Trophy, awarded to the league's most valuable player.

The announcement was made on June 12, 2025, during a special event where Hellebuyck was surprised with the news while on a fishing trip with friends and family. "It means a lot," Hellebuyck stated, reflecting on the significance of being recognized as the league's best player. He emphasized that such accolades often overlook goaltenders, and he expressed gratitude for the support from his teammates throughout the season.

Hellebuyck’s outstanding performance this season is underscored by his impressive statistics: a record of 47 wins, 12 losses, and 3 overtime losses, complemented by a .925 save percentage and a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.00. He also recorded eight shutouts, showcasing his dominance on the ice (NHL.com, 2025).

The Hart Trophy is determined by votes from members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, while the Vezina Trophy is awarded based on votes from general managers of the 32 NHL teams. Hellebuyck garnered 81 first-place votes out of 191 ballots, accumulating a total of 1,346 points. In contrast, Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers and Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning finished second and third, respectively, in the Hart voting (ESPN, 2025).

Historically, Hellebuyck is only the fourth goalie to win the Hart Trophy since the NHL's expansion era began in 1967-68, joining legends like Dominik Hasek, José Theodore, and Carey Price. This achievement is particularly significant as it highlights the rarity of a goaltender being recognized as the most valuable player in a league that predominantly favors skaters (The Hockey News, 2025).

Hellebuyck's previous accolades include winning the Vezina Trophy in both the previous season and in 2020, making this his third win in the category. He is now part of a select group of goaltenders who have received the Vezina Trophy at least three times under the current voting format established in 1981-82 (NHL.com, 2025).

Despite his regular-season success, the postseason proved challenging for Hellebuyck and the Jets. They managed to defeat the St. Louis Blues in a thrilling seven-game series but were subsequently eliminated by the Dallas Stars in the second round. Hellebuyck's playoff performance included two shutouts, but he recorded only six wins in 13 games, with a disappointing .866 save percentage and a GAA of 3.08 (Sportsnet, 2025).

In a year dominated by remarkable individual performances, Kucherov led the league in points with 121 and tied for the most assists, while Draisaitl topped the goal-scoring charts with 52 goals (NHL.com, 2025). Hellebuyck’s combination of individual excellence and team success has set a high bar for future goalkeepers in the league, as he continues to redefine the role of a goaltender in professional hockey.

As the NHL looks ahead, these achievements not only enhance Hellebuyck's legacy but also inspire a new generation of goalkeepers aspiring to follow in his footsteps. The ongoing conversation around the value of goaltenders in a league dominated by offensive stars is likely to evolve in light of Hellebuyck's historic accomplishments, potentially influencing future awards and recognition criteria in the NHL.