US President Donald Trump announced during his State of the Union address that Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The United States’ highest civilian honor is being proposed in recognition of his standout performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
During the address, Trump praised Hellebuyck’s role in the Americans’ gold-medal victory, including a decisive save in the championship game against Canada. He told lawmakers he would “soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor,” noting the award has been bestowed on only a select number of athletes.
Members of the gold medal-winning US men’s hockey team were recognized at the Capitol and received a standing ovation.
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According to NBC Chicago, the Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes individuals who advance US interests, world peace, or significant cultural and athletic achievements.
NHL team
Hellebuyck is the longtime starting goaltender for the Winnipeg Jets and is widely regarded as one of the NHL’s elite netminders. He has served as the franchise’s No. 1 goalie for multiple seasons.
{{/usCountry}}Hellebuyck is the longtime starting goaltender for the Winnipeg Jets and is widely regarded as one of the NHL’s elite netminders. He has served as the franchise’s No. 1 goalie for multiple seasons.
{{/usCountry}}Team and league reporting indicate he signed a seven-year contract extension beginning in the 2024-25 season valued at approximately $8.5 million per year.
Family
According to Sports Illustrated, Hellebuyck is married to Andrea Hellebuyck (née Graff), whom he met while attending the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
The couple have children and maintain a largely private family life away from public attention.
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He was born in Michigan to parents Chuck and Erin Hellebuyck; his father, an engineer, introduced technical training methods that influenced his development as a goaltender.
Net worth
Exact net worth estimates vary, but sports finance trackers and North American media reports place Hellebuyck’s wealth in the multi-million-dollar range.
His earnings are driven primarily by NHL salary and contract income, performance bonuses, and endorsement partnerships with equipment and sports brands.
With an annual salary around $8.5 million, publicly reported contract data suggest his career earnings total tens of millions of dollars.