Since the Winnipeg Jets returned to the NHL for the 2011-12 season, they have established themselves as one of the league’s top franchises in terms of success, with a record of 519-381-95. During that span, they have consistently found competent goaltenders who have been able to keep them in games and never leave them with a weak spot between the pipes.
We take a look at which goaltenders have had the biggest impact since returning to the NHL. We’ll refer to the Jets’ second NHL return at the start of the 2011-12 season as the new Jets era.
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5. Eric Comrie
Al Montoya could very well be at No. 5, but Comrie is back with the Jets this upcoming season and should improve on his 12-8-1 record, 2.94 goals-against average and decent .909 save percentage with the Jets. It will be a challenge to see how many games he appears in with newcomer Kaapo Kahkonen slated to take over the backup role after Laurent Brossoit leaves as a free agent.
The goalies on this list mostly played as backups to our top two, but when Comrie was with the Jets he put up solid numbers like a 2.58 goals-against average in 19 starts during the 2021-22 season. If he can repeat those numbers once again, he’ll firmly cement his top-five status.
4. Michael Hutchinson
The veteran goaltender has made an impact during his time with the Jets, as he has compiled a 43-39-11 record with a 2.65 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage in 102 career starts. He is one of five goaltenders in the Jets’ new era to record a point, as Hutchinson has found his way onto the scoresheet with an assist. The Barrie, Ontario native was stellar during his time in Winnipeg with a goals-against average of less than three in three of his four seasons with the team.
3. Laurent Brossoit
The Blackhawks’ new goaltender is coming off a stellar season with the Jets, as Brossoit worked as a solid sidekick for reigning Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck. He finished with a 15-5-2 record, a 2.00 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage in 23 starts. It was the BC native’s second stint with the Jets and it was the best season of his career. He upped his numbers with the Jets to a 2.51 average, a .917 save percentage and a 40-24-5 record in 67 games.
2. Ondrej Pavelec
When the Jets first returned, they landed the services of the Thrashers’ Czech goaltender, who was emerging as a solid option between the goals. In the 2010-11 season, Pavelec finished with a disappointing 21-23-9 record, but showed potential with a 2.73 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage.
He would go on to start 260 games for the Jets over six seasons with the team, most notably in 2014–15, when he finished with a 2.28 ERA and .920 save percentage with five shutouts. He finished his Jets career with a 111–107–31 record, a 2.80 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.
1. Connor Hellebuyck
The Winnipeg Jets’ all-time leader in games played (505), wins (275), shutouts (37) and career save percentage (.917) is two-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck. There’s no debate about who is the best goaltender of the Jets’ new era, let alone franchise history.
The Michigan native is just 31 years old and could continue to improve upon his stellar career numbers that have seen him play only for the Jets and could see him join the list of 39 other goalies who have won 300 games. His 275 wins put him seventh all-time in wins for an American-born goalie and puts him 118 wins behind leader Jonathan Quick, who has 393 but in 275 more starts, meaning he should be within reach of Hellebuyck.
