Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is expected to play for the first time since the United States’ Olympic gold medal-winning victory when the Winnipeg Jets face the Ducks Friday evening in Anaheim.
The game is the Jets’ second since the NHL’s Olympic break. Hellebuyck was not in uniform for Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime victory over the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver, British Columbia, one day after he and most of his Olympic teammates attended the State of the Union address in Washington, which included President Donald Trump announcing he would soon present Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Hellebuyck will become the first hockey player and 44th sports figure to receive the nation’s joint-highest civilian award of the United States, alongside the Congressional Gold Medal.
Willie O’Ree, the NHL’s first Black player, and the 1980 Olympic gold medal-winning hockey team have both been awarded Congressional Gold Medals.
Hellebuyck made 41 saves and assisted on Jack Hughes’ overtime goal in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Canada in Milan, Italy, which gave the Americans their first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980 and third all time.
“I’ve never seen a goaltender play as well as goalie Connor Hellebuyck,” Trump said during the State of the Union address.
Hellebuyck’s 41 saves were the most by a goaltender in the six Olympic finals involving NHL players. He was named both goalkeeper of the tournament and a tournament all-star.
Hellebuyck will be facing an Olympic teammate Friday, Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe. LaCombe did not dress for any of the six U.S. games in the Olympics, all victories. Under Olympic rules, all players on the rosters of medal-winning teams receive medals.
LaCombe was added to the team Jan. 21, 22 days before its opener, replacing Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones, who suffered an upper-body injury when he was hit with a puck in the first period of the Winter Classic on Jan. 2.
The 7 p.m. game from Honda Center will be streamed for free on Victory+.