Connor Hellebuyck didn’t see any action on the ice during his return to Winnipeg, but Jets fans certainly let their former superstar goalie hear it from his spot on the New Jersey Devils bench on Tuesday night.
Hellebuyck, who spent his first 12 NHL seasons with the Jets, made his first appearance back in Winnipeg as a member of the Devils after summer-long trade saga that stretched into the 2026-27 campaign culminated last month with a deal to New Jersey.
In return for the former NHL MVP, the Jets received forwards Nick Bjugstad, Alexander Command and Dawson Mercer, goaltender Nico Daws and two draft picks — a seventh-rounder in 2027 and a second-rounder in 2029.
But despite Hellebuyck being benched for the game due to “analytical” reasons, the boisterous crowd at Canada Life Centre didn’t hold back.
Connor Hrabchak, a reporter for Winnipeg Sports Talk, documented the many chants directed towards the former Jets superstar, with the trash talk ranging across the spectrum from genuinely funny to seriously mean-spirited.
What did the crowd chant?
Things started out on the angry side of things as fans jeered the goalie during warmups and chanted “Helle sucks” before the puck dropped to open the game.
Throughout the night, fired-up fans chanted “F*** you Helle,” and called the goalie a “Coward” for his perceived reluctance to get the starting assignment.
“Face the music,” “Helle’s fishing,” “Helle’s missing,” and “Where is Connor?” were also heard from the crowd.
The Jets faithful also showed some love for the players that the team received in the swap that shipped Hellebuyck out of town.
Chants of “Dawson Mercer” and “Mercer’s better” were heard, as well as “Nico! Nico!”
The two new arrivals did very well for themselves against their former team. Mercer scored two goals, including the game-winner and was named the first star of the game. Daws made 19 saves to pick up his first win as a member of the Jets.
The time-tested refrain of “We don’t need you” was also heard echoing through the arena.
Hellebuyck’s reputation for coming up short in the NHL playoffs was called to attention with chants of “playoff choker” and “playoff pylon.”
Which chants were the funniest?
On the humorous side of things, fans prodded Hellebuyck over his trade request despite having committed himself to playing in Winnipeg with a seven-year contract signed in 2023.
“Signed in pencil” was one of the chants that drew some laughs from those following along on social media.
Another online gut-buster was the sing-songy “You’re a coward, you’re a coward, you’re a coward, Clementine.”
“Pull your goalie,” was also heard after Allen allowed the first goal of the game, but it was always unlikely the Hellebuyck would get some action unless the night’s starting netminder was injured.
To round things up, Jets fans also apparently wanted to make sure that Hellebuyck realized one of the reasons for the hate directed in his direction: His connection to U.S. President Donald Trump, who continues to wage a trade war with Canada and desires to annex the country as a “51st state.”
As a result, “Trump’s your daddy” was heard emanating from the rafters at the Canada Life Centre.
What did players and coaches say after the game?
After the game, Jets coach Scott Arniel said that he hopes that all parties involved in the saga can now move on.
“That’s what I hope for,” Arniel told reporters. “We still have to go to their building in a couple of weeks (Nov. 28), but at the end of the day, we’re mounting wins and that’s so important. We got ourselves behind the eight ball, and now we have to try and make up ground.”
Mercer also commented on the fact that he was facing his former team and about the energy in the arena for the matchup.
“Playing your old team the first time was definitely an exciting game for me,” Mercer said. “The energy was pretty crazy, especially how we finished the game. We came back, that third period was pretty nice … To get the first one, and then the cherry on top for another one at the end definitely made my night.”
Why did Hellebuyck say he wanted to leave Winnipeg?
Speaking to reporters after the Devils conducted their morning skate on Tuesday, Hellebuyck said death threats against him and his family were a major factor in his decision to ask for a trade out of Winnipeg.
“Some things happened to my family that, for me, crossed the line … and made that decision very certain,” Hellebuyck told reporters Tuesday, adding his role as a husband and father prompted the decision for “a change in scenery,” and that had he remained in Winnipeg, his family wouldn’t be with him.
“I have two young kids and I want to be present as much as I can be,” he said.
“I’ve loved my time here, but there are a few moments that I don’t want to see happen again,” Hellebuyck added. “There is more that made me and my family uncomfortable. I’m, please, going to ask you to respect my family’s privacy.”
As for the other reasons, Hellebuyck wouldn’t specify, though he mentioned there was “some uncertainty” during his time in Winnipeg.