RECORD BROKEN : In a rare and historic occurrence, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player for 2024–25—the first goalie to achieve that since Carey Price in 2015, and only the fourth in the expansion era .

 In a rare and historic occurrence, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player for 2024–25—the first goalie to achieve that since Carey Price in 2015, and only the fourth in the expansion era .

In a season defined by elite performances and record-breaking achievements, one player rose above the rest—not with goals or assists, but with game-saving stops and unmatched consistency between the pipes. Connor Hellebuyck, the backbone of the Winnipeg Jets, has been named the Hart Memorial Trophy winner as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player for the 2024–25 season.

The honor is historic. Hellebuyck becomes the first goaltender since Carey Price in 2015 to capture the league’s top individual award and only the fourth goalie in the NHL’s expansion era to earn such recognition. It’s a rare feat in a league dominated by high-scoring forwards and mobile defensemen, highlighting just how dominant the American netminder was all season long.

Backstopping the Jets to a franchise-best 116 points and the Presidents’ Trophy, Hellebuyck turned in a masterclass campaign: 47 wins, a 2.00 goals-against average, .925 save percentage, and 8 shutouts over 63 appearances. His ability to consistently deliver under pressure was the foundation of Winnipeg’s success, often stealing games and anchoring one of the league’s stingiest defenses.

“This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about impact,” said Jets head coach Rick Bowness. “Connor gave us a chance to win every single night. He’s the heartbeat of this team.”

Voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, Hellebuyck edged out forwards Leon Draisaitl and Nikita Kucherov in a tightly contested MVP race. His win signals a renewed respect for the goaltending position in MVP voting—a category that often sees netminders overlooked in favor of flashy offensive production.

Hellebuyck’s performance also earned him the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender for the third time in his career, capping off a season that will go down as one of the most dominant ever by a goalie in the modern era.

With the Jets firmly back in the championship conversation, and with Hellebuyck at the peak of his powers, Winnipeg’s window for a Stanley Cup run remains wide open—and the man in the crease is now officially the league’s most valuable.