Home / Sports / Hellebuyck Shines: U.S. Goalie Dominates Olympic Ice
Hellebuyck Shines: U.S. Goalie Dominates Olympic Ice
16 Feb
Summary
- Connor Hellebuyck leads the tournament with a .952 save percentage.
- He is the reigning NHL MVP and Vezina Trophy winner.
- Hellebuyck feels confident and ready for the quarterfinals.
As of February 16, 2026, U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is a dominant force at the Winter Olympics in Milan. He currently leads the tournament with an impressive .952 save percentage and a 1.00 goals-against average. Hellebuyck, who was also the starting goalie for the U.S. at the 4 Nations Face-Off last year, is the reigning NHL MVP and Vezina Trophy winner.
Teammates and coach Mike Sullivan have expressed immense confidence in Hellebuyck, highlighting his skill, confidence, and ability to make crucial saves. Despite a less stellar season with the Winnipeg Jets compared to previous years, his Olympic performance has been outstanding, stopping 40 of 42 shots against Latvia and Germany. He is expected to start in the quarterfinals against Sweden or Latvia.
Hellebuyck feels he is performing at 99%, enjoying a good rhythm after playing twice in four days with adequate rest. His steady presence in net provides a calming influence for the U.S. defense, which has outscored opponents 16-5 heading into the quarterfinals.
