Connor Hellebuyck just shared a letter on Instagram explaining to Jets fans why he asked out of Winnipeg, and the Devils goalie keeps the details private.
It lands one day after he played in New Jersey on Tuesday night against Edmonton. Fans in Winnipeg have waited for an explanation since the request became public.
Hellebuyck says he knows the decision was "disappointing and frustrating for many people, especially those who supported me throughout my career." He calls it "an extremely difficult decision."
The reason he gives is family. He writes that there were "some very challenging circumstances involving my family," and that after a lot of thought and discussion, the family felt a change was best.
He adds that they've chosen to keep those circumstances private and hopes people respect that.
The rest of the letter is a thank-you list. He singles out Mark Chipman and Kevin Cheveldayoff, then his teammates, coaches, trainers and equipment staff, and the fans who supported his family.
What the letter leaves unanswered
It's a gracious letter. It also tells Jets fans almost nothing they didn't already suspect. The one concrete detail is that this was about family, and Hellebuyck asked for that to stay off the table.
Respecting that is the right call. But fans who spent years watching him in the Winnipeg crease won't feel the gap close, especially given where the team sits. The Jets are 5-8-3, 26th in the NHL, and 1-7-2 in their last 10.
They did win in overtime in Montreal on Tuesday, 5-4, with Kevin Cheveldayoff's timeline of the Hellebuyck request still fresh in the minds of fans. Kyle Connor scored twice in that game and has 13 goals in 16 games. Stuart Skinner stopped 18 of 22 shots in net.
In New Jersey, the picture looks very different. The Devils are 10-5-0, 8-2-0 in their last 10, and Hellebuyck made 18 saves on 21 shots in the 4-3 shootout win over the Oilers.
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | DIFF | |
| 1. Carolina Hurricanes | 17 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 26 | +24 |
| 2. New Jersey Devils | 15 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 20 | +9 |
| 3. New York Rangers | 16 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 17 | +1 |
| 4. Washington Capitals | 14 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 16 | +1 |
| 5. New York Islanders | 14 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 16 | +1 |
| 6. Columbus Blue Jackets | 13 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 12 | -5 |
| 7. Pittsburgh Penguins | 15 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 12 | -3 |
| 8. Philadelphia Flyers | 17 | 4 | 9 | 4 | 12 | -21 |
His first night in a Devils uniform had its own moment, when he gave one word to a question about the anthem. You can read about Hellebuyck's Devils debut and his anthem answer here.
The letter closes with him wishing the Jets and the community "nothing but the best." Winnipeg hosts Vancouver on Thursday, while New Jersey hosts St. Louis the same night.
Should Jets fans accept Hellebuyck's family explanation and move on?
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