WINNIPEG — From an unheralded teenager playing in Odessa, Texas, plucked out of the fifth round, to becoming one of the premier goaltenders in the world.
What a rise it was for Connor Hellebuyck.
And what a circus it became over the last few months, as the Winnipeg Jets navigated the delicate nuances of trying to move a franchise cornerstone in a market plagued with contractual roadblocks, all while operating inside a goaltending market that almost always favours buyers.
All of that finally came to a head on Friday, when the Jets traded Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils for a package that included immediate forward help, a couple of high-end prospects and some draft picks.
For a franchise icon who once publicly spoke of being a "Jet for life," the Hellebuyck era has officially come to an end.
"We drafted Connor Hellebuyck," Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said Friday during a nearly 30-minute press conference at the Canada Life Centre. "We took a chance on some gangly guy out of Odessa. But he's earned his way along the way. As an organization, we're proud of what we had accomplished; we wished we could have pushed it over the top."
The return to Winnipeg is headlined by 24-year-old forward Dawson Mercer, a 2026 first-round pick in centre Alexander Command and goaltender Nico Daws. The Jets also received veteran Nick Bjugstad, a second-round pick in 2029 and a seventh-rounder in 2027.
While the return will be debated for some time, you could feel both the relief and the pent-up stress from the man who brokered the divorce.
"It certainly hasn't been fun. There's no question about it," Cheveldayoff noted. "Heard from a lot of managers and saying, 'Hang in there. I feel for you, buddy.' That was the sentiment of what you got from some of my counterparts that were sleeping easy at night as opposed to wasting away the summer."
A resolution this week still came as a surprise.
Hellebuyck had hung over the organization like a dark cloud since his camp went public with a trade demand in late August. The standoff only escalated when the former three-time Vezina and Hart Trophy winner failed to report to training camp, triggering a team suspension that was quietly extended right up until the trade.
Many outsiders viewed Hellebuyck's leverage — along with the overwhelming belief that Winnipeg is on many teams' no-trade lists — as the main obstacle for any potential trade offer. Cheveldayoff dismissed those premises, calling them lazy. The main roadblock, according to the Jets GM, was a lack of suitors who were both legitimate contenders and possessed a willingness to part with premium assets.
Cheveldayoff said external pressures such as Hellebuyck's public posturing or the spotlight that comes with hosting the Heritage Classic on Sunday also didn't force his hand. Instead, he seemed most motivated by doing right by a proud hockey market that has become exhausted by its reluctant superstar.
"These fans love the Winnipeg Jets. They care for the Winnipeg Jets. They want people that want to be Winnipeg Jets," Cheveldayoff said. "That's what this is all about. They pay their hard-earned dollars to come watch us compete, and they want to know that everyone's on the same page competing and pulling that string."
The Jets have dealt with disgruntled stars before. But while Cheveldayoff was able to secure solid returns for Jacob Trouba, Patrik Laine and Pierre-Luc Dubois, extracting a comparable package for Hellebuyck was always going to be a different challenge.
Elite forwards and top-pairing defencemen are pieces every team covets, with contenders often mortgaging their futures to get them. A contender looking to upgrade in the crease is rarely willing to trade anything equivalent for a top-end goalie, which only reduces the likelihood of a one-for-one hockey trade.
Further complicating matters, the Jets were looking to retool rather than rebuild. Cheveldayoff remained adamant that a package full of futures was a non-starter. That left an even smaller number of teams to work with.
"We looked at this lots of different ways, with lots of different teams," Cheveldayoff said. "We talked about three-team trades. We talked about lots of different things."
He added: "I've always said many, many times that when I talk to Helly's representative, I can't force other teams to make offers or decide when to make offers. Fortunately, I can now have some sleep."
Cheveldayoff pointed to the New York Rangers losing starter Igor Shesterkin as the sudden catalyst to help free up the market. The injury created a broader dialogue throughout the league, creating conversations across front offices.
Reading between the lines, the Devils watching their most heated Metropolitan Division rival scramble for goalie help likely accelerated talks with the Jets.
"It goes back to the uniqueness of the position," Cheveldayoff said. "At the end of the day, every challenge is unique and you just have to deal with it on a different basis. It really comes down to what teams are willing to do and willing to pay. It's not necessarily what I got. It was more like what other teams were willing to pay."
In the end, the Devils were willing to pay what Cheveldayoff was looking for: help right away in the top-six forward group and a promising young centre to help shore up depth down the middle.
Mercer is an intriguing bet. Selected 18th overall in 2020, the Newfoundland native exploded for 27 goals and 56 points in his sophomore season in New Jersey. While his offence has plateaued amid shifting roles on the Devils, he still has three 20-goal seasons, including last year, on his resume.
Cheveldayoff envisions a bounce-back year similar to Gabriel Vilardi's resurgence after arriving from the L.A. Kings. By putting him alongside the knowledge of Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor, the hope is they can unlock that two-way game.
"We weren’t going to take a pick-and-a-prospect deal and say at the end of the day, ‘Look what we did’ to the organization," Cheveldayoff said. "I think Dawson Mercer is going to be someone that really fits in. The role he’s going to play for us is not the role that he’s been playing this last year. It’s more akin to the roles that he’s had over the first course of his years."
Then there is Command. Drafted 12th overall in June and currently playing in Sweden's top division, the 18-year-old gives Winnipeg a high-IQ centre prospect. Cheveldayoff revealed that Command had already connected with fellow Swedish rookie Viggo Bjorck, reuniting two players the Jets' front office had high on their draft board.
Rounding out the key pieces is Daws, though he brings with him a roster headache. Because all three goalies need to clear waivers, the Jets placed defenceman Jack St. Ivany on waivers Friday until they figure out what to do in the crease.
With the paperwork now filed, the circus that has dominated headlines has finally left town. For now.
In less than three weeks, on Nov. 10, New Jersey is in Winnipeg to play the Jets, with Hellebuyck surely cleared to play by then. It should be a night to remember, much like it was earlier this week when Brady Tkachuk made his return to Ottawa to a disapproving Senators crowd.
Cheveldayoff wasn't interested in offering up any advice to fans.
"I know there's going to be different levels of things and emotions when that comes. Far be it from me to lecture any particular fan," Cheveldayoff said. "At the end of the day, I know it's an emotional thing, but we should appreciate what he has accomplished."
