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Jets' Connor Hellebuyck expected to start U.S. men's hockey team opener

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Hunter Crowther | Last updated Feb 11, 2026 5:07 PM ET

The reigning Hart Trophy winner is expected to get his first-career Olympic start.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will likely get the net for the United States when they face Latvia on Thursday, according to The Associated Press’ Stephen Whyno and ESPN’s Emily Kaplan.

And when goalies have been sharing a net, it has been Connor Hellebuyck getting his own. Would be very surprised if he’s not the U.S. starter in the opener against Latvia. https://t.co/hAZgrThhIx

— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) February 11, 2026

At Team USA men’s hockey team final practice before their first game against Latvia tomorrow.

All signs point to Connor Hellebuyck in net. Clayton Keller & Jackson LaCombe as scratches.

Top power play: Quinn Hughes, Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, Tage Thompson & Matthew Tkachuk.

— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) February 11, 2026

However, USA Hockey head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters after practice on Wednesday that he’ll save the official goalie announcements until Thursday morning.

Mike Sullivan says he’ll be saving starting goalie announcements until morning of the game.

— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) February 11, 2026

Hellebuyck started three games for the U.S. at the 4 Nations Face-Off, where he posted a 2-1 record with a .932 SV%.

Hellebuyck, who has won the Vezina Trophy in three of the last six seasons, is coming off a 2024-25 campaign where he finished with a 47-12-3 record, a 2.00 goals against average (GAA) and .925 save percentage (SV%), one of the best goaltending campaigns in modern NHL history.

But the 32-year-old netminder has had a difficult 2025-26 NHL campaign. Through 36 appearances, Hellebuyck is 13-16-7 with a .900 save percentage (SV%) and 3.5 5v5 goals saved above expected (5v5 GSAx).

In 604 career games, Hellebuyck, a native of Commerce, Mich., is 335-201-51 with a .917 SV% and 2.57 goals against average (GAA).

This article first appeared on Daily Faceoff and was syndicated with permission.

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