Connor Hellebuyck Booed Heavily by Jets Fans on Video in Return to Winnipeg After Devils Trade

New Jersey Devils goaltender Connor Hellebuyck received plenty of boos from Winnipeg Jets fans at Canada Life Centre ahead of a matchup between the two teams on Tuesday.

Hellebuyck was traded from the Jets to the Devils on Oct. 23 after requesting to be moved.

Hellebuyck reflected on his trade request when speaking to reporters prior to Tuesday's game.

"I will say, with all the uncertainty I was experiencing, there was some moments and some things that happened to my family that, for me, crossed the line," Hellebuyck said. "And as a husband and a father, I felt made that decision very certain."

The 33-year-old spent the first 11 seasons of his NHL career in Winnipeg from 2015-26.

Hellebuyck blossomed into a star on the Jets, becoming a three-time Vezina Trophy winner while capturing the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's most valuable player to his team for his 2024-25 campaign.

His production declined throughout the 2025-26 season, posting a career-low .895 save percentage in 57 appearances.

Hellebuyck eventually requested a trade from Winnipeg during the ensuing offseason and was suspended by the team after refusing to report to training camp this year.

He was eventually dealt to the Devils in exchange for Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad, Nico Daws, Alexander Command, a 2027 seventh-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick.

Hellebuyck has suited up in five games for New Jersey this season, recording 105 saves on 115 shots while compiling a 5-0 record.

He appeared to be set to start Tuesday's game against his former team, although Devils general manager Sunny Mehta said that the decision was made to play Jake Allen over Hellebuyck due to a potential "reduction in our expected win probability" as part of a statement released Sunday.

Jets coach Scott Arniel was disappointed in New Jersey's decision.

"I've seen a lot of analytics in my life. I'm not sure how this works into the analytics part of it," Arniel said, per ESPN's Greg Wyshynski . "I know it's their decision. They can do whatever they want. But that would put closure to it. This doesn't."

The Devils own a 13-5-0 record to open the year, while the Jets sit at 7-8-3.