Jack Hughes is going to get plenty of attention and love for his golden goal to beat Canada, but Team USA’s Connor Hellebuyck turned plenty of heads in Milan.
Hellebuyck, who plays for the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets, was one of the biggest stars of the entire tournament, and he positively stood on his head when his team needed him most in the 2-1 win that gave the United States its first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey in 46 years.
In all, Hellebuyck saved a staggering 41 shots in the game, including some acrobatic stops that will forever be shown in highlight reels alongside U.S. stars like Jim Craig, who backstopped the iconic 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team.
Perhaps the wildest save he made of the entire game was in the third period when Canadian defenseman Devon Toews was right in front of the goal crease. With the puck on his stick, Toews surely thought he was about to score the go-ahead goal with the game tied 1-1, but Hellebuyck had different ideas.
The puck ultimately slid just wide of the far post, keeping the U.S. alive in the game.
He also made an incredible breakaway save on Connor McDavid during the game:
Colton Parayko had a breakaway chance in the third period, and Hellebuyck was again up to the task:
Needless to say, the 32-year-old has made quite a name for himself in his NHL career. A fifth-round pick of the Jets in 2012, he won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s most valuable player in 2025, and has also won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender three times, including each of the last two seasons.
He was voted best goaltender in the 2026 Olympics, and was named to the Olympic All-Star team thanks to his efforts in Milan.
Chicago Blackhawks fans will get a chance to pay their tribute to Hellebuyck when the Jets come to the United Center on March 31.
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