Hellebuyck eager to start quest for Stanley Cup
Jets goalie had great regular season to earn first taste of playoff action, writes Ken Wiebe.
These are the moments Connor Hellebuyck was preparing for, way back when he was huddled around the TV imitating the movements of Chris Osgood and Olaf Kolzig.
During the 1998 Stanley Cup playoffs, Hellebuyck found himself in a bit of a quandary. Kolzig, his favourite goalie, backstopped the Washington Capitals into the Stanley Cup final against Hellebuyck’s hometown team, the Detroit Red Wings.
Hellebuyck was definitely cheering for the Red Wings, so for that series, Kolzig had to take a back seat.
Hellebuyck chose wisely as the Red Wings swept the Capitals to capture the Stanley Cup.
“I watched (the playoffs) a lot. When I was younger, I would always go into my mini-sticks net and act out (what) the goalies (were doing),” said Hellebuyck, who is set to lead the Winnipeg Jets into the Stanley Cup playoffs on Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild. “When the Wings played (the Capitals) in the 1998 playoffs, I watched that tape every night before bed. I got to see on film what that atmosphere is like. To finally be in (a series) is going to be very exciting.”
Although the Jets feature more depth than they’ve ever had in the history of the franchise, there’s little doubt Hellebuyck enters the post-season party as one of the most important pieces of the puzzle.
The Jets are deep enough and boast enough talent that Hellebuyck won’t constantly be asked to go out and steal the show.
But providing steady, solid goaltending is the bare minimum for a team with designs of going on a long playoff run.
Hellebuyck came into his second full season with plenty to prove.
Following an up-and-down 2016-17 campaign that featured flashes of brilliance but several rough patches, Hellebuyck used the summer to get physically stronger and tidy up his game.
Hellebuyck has answered every challenge — from reclaiming the No. 1 job to earning his first invitation to the NHL All-Star Game and setting a single-season mark for wins by a U.S.-born goalie (44).
The playoffs are where many goalies establish a reputation, either as someone who rises to the challenge or crumbles under the pressure.
Hellebuyck turned aside a query about whether he viewed the playoffs as another opportunity to prove his worth like he was steering a shot from the slot safely into the corner.
“I look at this as a chance to win a Stanley Cup,” he said.
“I took a moment to enjoy (the regular season success). It’s a good milestone in my life, but you know what, it means nothing without a Stanley Cup. Everyone knows that. It’s the reason we play hockey. Now that we have a chance, it’s going to be something special.
“You don’t know how many times you’re going to come across this opportunity, especially now with a great team like we have here.”
Hellebuyck knows he will be fired up for the frenzied scene on Wednesday, but there won’t be any changes to his approach.
“(I’ll prepare) the same way I would for any other game. Make sure I’m feeling good and that my small details are right,” said Hellebuyck, who appeared in a career-high 67 games this season and made 64 starts.
“I just want to feel comfortable on the ice and let the rest fall into place.
“I do have to enjoy this a little bit. This is my first time, my first (playoff ) experience and I have to soak it all in, so I can learn from it.”