Connor Hellebuyck Was 'Best Player by a Mile' Says Jack Hughes, How Many Shots Did USA Goalie Save?
Team USA star Jack Hughes lavished high praise on goaltender Connor Hellebuyck following Sunday's 2-1 overtime victory over Canada to win gold in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
"Unbelievable game by Hellebuyck," Hughes said. "He was our best player by a mile."
The Winnipeg Jets netminder made 41 saves, none bigger than his point-blank denial of Devon Toews:
Hellebuyck may have taken an added level of satisfaction from his gold medal heroics given how badly his last taste of NHL playoff hockey went. He was pulled three times in Winnipeg's first-round series win over the St. Louis Blues.
Canada's Connor McDavid was the Olympics MVP after totaling 13 points (two goals and 11 assists), while Hughes delivered the singular moment most fans will remember. His overtime goal brought gold to Team USA men's team for the first time since 1980.
Nobody had a bigger impact on the final than Hellebuyck, though.
Canada attempted 14 more shots than the United States and a handful of breakaway opportunities. Coach Jon Cooper and his players will be left wondering for a while how this game even went into overtime.
Hellebuyck was magnificent throughout the Olympics. He was the tournament leader in save percentage (95.6) and goals-against average (1.18).
The 32-year-old is a four-time All-Star, a three-time winner of the Vezina Trophy and won the Hart Trophy last season. He has achieved a ton during his 11-year pro career.
An Olympic gold medal might vault to the top of the list.
