Connor Hellebuyck returns to Winnipeg for 1st time since trade

A packed room for a three-time Vesna winner, former Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuck. It didn't take long for the question, why did he demand a trade from the Jets two years after signing a long-term deal? It is more than just online death threats, and I'm please going to ask you to respect my privacy and my family's privacy. I won't go deeper than that, but there is more that made me and my family uncomfortable. He wouldn't say where the threats came from, but says if he chose to stay in the city, his family wouldn't have come along. Hellebuck led Team USA to Olympic gold over Canada in February. At the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump gave him the Medal of Freedom amidst a trade war between Canada and the U.S. Jets management has said the harassment Hellebuck faced after the Olympic win increased to the point that local police were involved. I want to speak to... The love I have for the city, and the connection that I've had with the community, connection I've had with the fans, I've had all of my career accomplishments here, and I don't want any of this to change any of that. Hellebuck jerseys, 50 bucks. Hellebuck t-shirts, 10 bucks. A post to sell off Hellebuck jerseys topped Royal Sports most viewed videos, and stock sold out in hours. A lot of people were joking around, this is good firewood, toilet paper, yadda yadda yadda, just little jokes like that. Do you think we're going to see any of those jerseys maybe tossed on the ice tonight? I wouldn't be surprised. Some fans are disappointed Hellebuck won't be in the net. A guy who wants to play 84 games, if he possibly could, for some reason can't play in this game. He may very well play. If the Jets can do things right and get a lot of goals in the beginning, they could switch it up. Fans with tickets to this game probably won't get to see Hellebuck face off against his former team in his former home. But the Jets head to New Jersey at the end of the month. Mike Arsenault, CBC News, Winnipeg.