Connor Hellebuyck Wins Olympic Gold with Epic Performance

Connor Hellebuyck led Team USA to a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada in the Olympic gold medal game with an epic 41-save performance. He started playing hockey at Lakeland Arena in Waterford Township, where he fell in love with the game as a teenager.

What drove Connor Hellebuyck's success?

Hellebuyck's work ethic and devotion were key to his success, despite taking an unconventional path to the NHL. He wasn't recruited in high school and didn't play the usual travel hockey circuit, instead playing with friends and classmates in Michigan high school hockey.

How did Connor Hellebuyck's journey begin?

Hellebuyck played junior hockey in Odessa, Texas, his only option at the time, and was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the fifth round, 130th overall, in 2012. He wasn't on NHL Central Scouting's list of top 36 North American goaltenders eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Hellebuyck's humble beginnings forced him to stay humble and driven, appreciating all the special moments, such as the electric ones in Italy.

What do teammates say about Connor Hellebuyck?

Andrew Copp, a Red Wings forward and Ann Arbor native, played with Hellebuyck in Winnipeg and praised his "delusional confidence" during practices. Copp said Hellebuyck has a confidence and swagger about him that star players have, and he's very talented in reading the play. Hellebuyck is fiercely proud of being from Michigan, saying "I'm an outdoorsman, so there's no better place to be". He has built a strong connection with the area and will be a proud Michigander for life. Hellebuyck's wife Andrea and children Hugh and Violet are often with him at games and practices. He took his son Hugh, age 4, to mini-mite practice at Lakeland Arena, where he started playing hockey. Hellebuyck's performance in the Olympic gold medal game will be remembered for generations, said teammate Matthew Tkachuk. Tkachuk said it's going to go down as one of the best performances of all time. Hellebuyck's journey is an inspiration to young hockey players everywhere, showing that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. He is a probable Hall of Famer and one of the best American goaltenders ever, with a meteoric rise from unrecruited high school player to NHL star.