Connor Hellebuyck's coming-of-age season with the Jets ended on a historic note.
With his 44th win Saturday, a 4-1 decision over the Blackhawks, Hellebuyck passed Tom Barrasso to set a new NHL record for the most single-season victories by an American goaltender.
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With tonight's win, Connor Hellebuyck sets the record for most wins in a season from an American born goaltender at 44!
— #PrayersForHumboldt (@NHLJets) April 8, 2018
Congrats Connor! #BuckyForVez pic.twitter.com/iooDXTTlhE
Barrasso, who played in 777 games during his 22-year NHL career, held the mark since the 1992-93 season with the Penguins. He also backstopped Pittsburgh to a pair of Stanley Cups in the two seasons prior, a feat Hellebuyck turns his attention to making his first playoff run with the Jets, among the favorites to win the championship.
🎥 Connor Hellebuyck recaps an emotional night at the rink, and his comments on breaking the record for wins in a single season by an American-born goalie. pic.twitter.com/DytXb55MmT
— #PrayersForHumboldt (@NHLJets) April 8, 2018
The 24-year-old finished the regular season near the top of the NHL in every statistical category while balancing a heavy workload (his 3,905 minutes are most in the league). He's fifth in save percentage (.923), third in shutouts (six), and tied with Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy for the league wins title.
Hellebuyck, expected to be voted as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, had already surpassed a few of the best seasons ever by U.S.-born goalies, including Mike Richter (42 in 1993-94), Ryan Miller (41 in 2009-10) and Jonathan Quick (40 in 2015-16).
