The Jets have suspended the goaltender for failing to report to training camp, the team announced on Wednesday.
Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff will address the media at 10:30 a.m. ET on Thursday.
Hellebuyck publicly requested a trade out of Winnipeg earlier this off-season, but claims he informed the Jets of his desire to be moved months before.
“Winnipeg has been my home for my entire NHL career, and I will always be grateful for my time there,” Hellebuyck said in a statement. “I have never forgotten June 23, 2012. That’s the day Winnipeg took a chance on a goalie playing in Odessa, Texas. I gave everything I had from that moment to prove that the Jets made the right decision.
“Several months ago, I privately requested a trade. I have tried to handle the situation quietly and respectfully while giving the organization time to explore its options.”
Hellebuyck backstopped the Jets to the NHL’s best record in the 2024-25 season and was rewarded with the Hart Trophy as league MVP as well as his third Vezina Trophy as top goalie.
The 33-year-old from Commerce Township, Mich., was a middling 23-23-11 in 57 games with a 2.86 goals-against average and an .895 save percentage with Winnipeg last season. But he did help the United States win gold at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, making 41 saves in a 2-1 win over Canada in the gold-medal game.
Over 625 career games with the Jets, Hellebuyck has a 345-208-55 record with a 2.58 goals-against average, .916 save percentage and 45 shutouts. He also won the Vezina Trophy in 2020 and 2024.
He signed an eight-year, US$59.5 million extension with Winnipeg in October 2023. He’s under contract through 2031 at a salary cap hit of $8.5 million.
— With files from The Canadian Press