Jets GM: Hellebuyck Needed Beefed Up Security Due To Fan Vitriol After Olympics

We might have gotten a glimpse into why Connor Hellebuyck asked for a trade out of Winnipeg. Like other American players who returned to their Canadian NHL teams after defeating Canada in the Gold Medal game in the Olympics, Hellebuyck faced a lot of vitriol and threats from Canadian fans. 

But according to Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, it got so bad that there was a fear for the goalie's safety, along with that of his family.

Connor Hellebuyck and his family were subject to so much post-Olympic vitriol that both the #NHLJets security team and even police had to get involved.

On a relationship that has gone south -- with no quick fix.

My story: https://t.co/yZV6D4NrMb

— Mike McIntyre (@mikemcintyrewpg) September 17, 2026

The Jets' security team and even police had to get involved, per the GM. Much of it likely stemmed from the backlash, per Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press, from a trip to the White House after the Olympics, where U.S. President Donald Trump awarded Hellebuyck the Medal of Freedom.

Obviously what (Hellebuyck and his family) endured, they shouldn’t have to... I had many conversations when he was coming back from the Olympics, I was over in Europe scouting, and I had many late night conversations with his representatives and made all the offers. I do know we requested additional security so to speak, made it known to the police and please make sure the players feel safe.

We do know that Hellebuyck made it clear in his exit interviews after the Jets' poor regular season that he was questioning the team's ability to contend for a Stanley Cup, and it made him think about whether he wanted to stick around. 

But the vitriol and the threats from the trolls and fans certainly couldn't have helped the situation. 

Insider Jeff Marek echoed those sentiments on The Sheet on Thursday. "I believe that this issue is not on the ice, it is off the ice, and I think a lot of it is the treatment post-Olympics... This is the way that it feels to me."

Jets star forward Kyle Connor calls the whole thing "heartbreaking."

Heard from #NHLJets forward Kyle Connor who describes the Hellebuyck situation as “heartbreaking.”

Says he tried to talk him out of it, but respects that he has to make his own decision.

— danielle bain (@danielleBain) September 17, 2026

He even admitted that he tried to talk Hellebuyck out of it. 

For now, the world's best goalie is suspended for his failure to report to training camp, while he awaits his requested trade. 

But Cheveldayoff won't be giving in and just shipping him out without a significant return. 

This could take a while.