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Winnipeg Jets Sign UMass Lowell Goalie Connor Hellebuyck

After leading the NCAA in goals against and save percentage two years in a row, Hellebuyck will try his hand at the pros.

By Chris Dilks
Matt Dewkett

UMass Lowell goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has signed an entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets, forgoing his final two years of eligibility with the River Hawks. Hellebuyck was a 5th round choice of the Jets in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Hellebuyck was a late-bloomer in goal. He was relatively unknown coming out of the Michigan high school hockey ranks, but put together a strong season with the Odessa Jackalopes of the NAHL, which earned him a roster spot at UMass Lowell and got him drafted by the Jets.

In his two seasons in Lowell, Hellebuyck was nothing short of dominant between the pipes. He led the entire nation in both goals against average and save percentage in both seasons. This past year, Hellebuyck put together a 1.79 GAA and .941 save percentage.

We had Hellebuyck ranked 28th overall on our list of Top 100 NHL Prospects in the NCAA:

28. Connor Hellebuyck, Goalie, UMass-Lowell (Winnipeg Jets)

The Commerce, Mich. native is a big goaltender that takes up a lot of the net. He is good on his angles and squares up to shooters so he very rarely makes a flashy save as he's already in position. He has a good glove and has quick feet. There has been much debate over whether it's the system or the goaltenders at UMass Lowell as his backup Doug Carr also has extremely good numbers. The answer is probably a little of both, but Hellebuyck more than passes the eye test.