New Jersey Devils goaltender Connor Hellebuyck did not play Tuesday night in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in his first game back against the Jets, the team he left before signing with New Jersey. Devils management opted to sit the three-time Vezina Trophy winner and former league MVP, a decision that drew criticism from fans who wanted to see the star netminder on the ice.
Hellebuyck was booed during warmups and faced taunts from the crowd throughout the game despite not playing, according to OutKick commentator Craig Carton, who defended the Devils’ decision on Wednesday’s edition of “The Craig Carton Show.”
“Under an abundance of caution, the New Jersey Devils did the safe and right thing, even if it wasn’t the manly thing hockey players would want them to do,” Carton said. “They protected an American icon from a lunatic in Winnipeg who might think they’re doing what’s right for their country by taking out the great American goaltender.”
Carton, who represents himself as a U.S. patriot rather than a hockey fan, said Hellebuyck had asked for a trade out of Winnipeg after receiving death threats, which he said extended to Hellebuyck’s wife, children and dog, following Hellebuyck’s performance against Canada’s national team. Those claims were made by Carton on his program and were not independently detailed in the available reporting.
“It was so bad for the American hero that is Connor Hellebuyck that he had to ask for a trade out of Winnipeg,” Carton said. “Not because he didn’t like playing for the organization. He loved that organization. He bled for that organization.”
Carton argued the episode justified renewed U.S. tariffs on Canada, calling those responsible for the threats “scoundrels” and “animals.” He closed his commentary with praise for Hellebuyck.
“I want to say this to you, Connor Hellebuyck: I, Craig Carton, as a proud American, fully support you. I may not like hockey, but I’m going to start watching it when you decide to start playing again,” he said. “Connor Hellebuyck is an American icon and an American hero, and he should be treated as such.”
The Devils and Jets are scheduled to meet again later this month, this time in Newark, New Jersey.
