USA Hockey goalie Connor Hellebuyck to receive Medal of Freedom: NHL team, family and net worth

US hockey team member Connor Hellebuyck is set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Updated on: Feb 25, 2026 9:13 AM IST

Share via

Copy link

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.

Members of the United States' Olympic hockey team, goalie Connor Hellebuyck in front, attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the US Capitol in Washington. (AP)

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.

Also Read: Al Green kicked out of Trump's SOTU speech: What was written in his poster?

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.

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.

Also Read: Hank Johnson and Tom Suozzi 'caught sleeping' during Trump's SOTU speech; ‘Way past their bedtime’

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.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Prakriti Deb
Prakriti Deb is a journalist at Hindustan Times Digital, where she is part of the US Desk. She works on stories related to American politics, crime, sports, entertainment and weather. She particularly enjoys covering political developments that have global ripples. Through her work, she aims to break down complex events in a way that feels simple and understandable. Before joining the Hindustan Times, she worked with The Indian Express Digital, where she covered world affairs. She holds a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication with a specialisation in Journalism, along with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. Outside the newsroom, Prakriti enjoys travelling and stepping out of her comfort zone. She finds her sense of being through storytelling in all its forms, including conversations, painting, theatre, dance and photography. She appreciates discussions that challenge her perspective and help her see the world a little differently.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.