USA Hockey Goalie Began His Career in West Texas

ODESSA, TX — Connor Hellebuyck, who led the USA men’s hockey team to the gold medal at the Olympics last weekend, began his career in the most unlikely of places — Odessa, Texas.

Following his high school playing days in Michigan, Hellebuyck played his first year of junior hockey in 2011-12 with the Odessa Jackalopes, an old rival of San Angelo’s former hockey teams, the Outlaws and Saints.

In his rookie year, Hellebuyck was named the North American Hockey League’s Co-Goaltender of the Year.

Just four years after his humble start in West Texas, he worked his way up to the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets and was an All-Star by 2018.

Hellebuyck is now a four-time All-Star and was named the league’s MVP last year.

Many Americans who don’t even watch hockey found themselves tuned in to the Gold Medal game Sunday between the U.S. and Canada, which ended with a thrilling 2-1 overtime win by the U.S.

Hellebuyck was incredible in the game, saving 41 of the 42 shots he faced.

He isn’t the only hockey player with West Texas connections to reach the highest levels of the sport. Former San Angelo Saints player Chris Minard lifted the Stanley Cup when the Pittsburgh Penguins won the NHL title in 2009.