Although Connor Hellebuyck won't be between the pipes when the New Jersey Devils and Winnipeg Jets face off at Canada Life Centre on Tuesday night, he met with the media in Manitoba ahead of the contest.

He spoke for nearly half an hour and revealed that part of his trade request stemmed from harassment his family received after he won gold with the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

“There was some moments and some things that happened to my family that for me crossed the line,” Hellebuyck told reporters, including the Winnipeg Free Press' Mike McIntyre. “There were a few moments that I don’t want to see happen again. It’s more than just online death threats and I’m gonna ask you to respect my privacy and my family’s privacy, I won’t go deeper than that, but there’s more that made me and my family uncomfortable.

“On top of some uncertainty with my career, I felt a change of scenery was best.”

“I needed to be a good husband and good father, and do what’s best for my family and my career.”

Connor Hellebuyck explained that some things his family experienced while in Winnipeg "crossed the line" and made his decision to request a trade "very certain".

When asked about… pic.twitter.com/i8v5gBxMP5

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) November 10, 2026

Hellebuyck went on to explain that although he “loved playing in Canada,” he understood the sensitivity of the situation between Canada and the United States, saying things changed after the gold-medal game.

He didn't elaborate on the incidents, asking that his family's privacy be respected.

“I feel like the media will probably eat me alive regardless of what I say, I feel like if I answer that question it’d be pinning someone against each other. I’ve made my decision, I’ve made it clear, and I’ve sacrificed a lot to live by that. If that’s not enough for you, I don’t know if I can have any other answers for that,” Hellebuyck added.

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The 33-year-old also said that when he retires, he doesn't want his relationship with Winnipeg to be “squashed” because of how his tenure ended with the Jets.

Considering he not only requested a trade, but also refused to report to training camp despite having five years left on his contract, he's probably broken the relationship with the city beyond repair.

Nico Daws, who went from New Jersey to Winnipeg as part of the blockbuster swap, will start for the Jets on Tuesday night. It should be appointment viewing despite the fact that Hellebuyck will be watching from the proverbial sidelines.