Hockey fans will get ‘unique opportunity’ to get up close and personal with NHL trophies at Jets game

Posted on October 18, 2024 by Peggy

When hockey fans make their way through the Canada Life Centre concourse Friday night, they might notice some hockey hardware on display.

The Vezina and William M. Jennings trophies will be on display during the Winnipeg Jets’ game against the San Jose Sharks, giving fans the chance to take photos with the two awards. The festivities are all part of a special night in recognition of Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck.

“Fans will be able to come up, just like the player, put their arm around it, touch it, get a photo with it,” said Izak Westgate, the manager of outreach exhibits and assistant curator with the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Doc Seaman Hockey Resource Centre.

“When you’re at the Hall of Fame, they’re behind glass, so this is definitely a unique opportunity for the fans.”

Hellebuyck took home the Vezina — awarded to the NHL’s top goalie — last season for the second time in his career, posting a 37-19-4 record. He boasted a 2.39 goals-against average a .921 save percentage, along with five shutouts in 60 games last season.

He also won the William M. Jennings Trophy, awarded every year to a goalie who plays a minimum of 25 games for the team that allows the fewest goals during the regular season.

Westgate said opportunities to see players up close with the trophies they’ve worked hard to earn are some of the more special moments in his job.

“When we’re bringing them on these trips, it actually gives them a chance to look at the trophy and look at all the names that won it before them,” he said.

“Often it’s their idols growing up and honestly, they’re like a kid in the candy store — no different than a fan who’s coming to take a picture with the trophy.”

That sentiment is also shared by Mario Della-Savia, an outreach specialist at the Hockey Hall of Fame who also travels with the league’s hardware.

“I cannot say enough about the family and the friends and the grandparents and the aunts and uncles,” he said. “When we bring the trophies … everybody is so thrilled and so excited for the individual.”

Della-Savia said the trophies also made an appearance at the Hockey For All Centre in west Winnipeg earlier this week, where some young players got a chance to see them.

“It’s always great to see the young boy or girl that wants to be a goalie.… They’re very unique individuals that goaltenders are,” he said.

A person stands with a trophy. — Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stands beside the Vezina Trophy at hockey’s NHL Awards in Las Vegas on June 27, 2024. (L.E. Baskow/The Associated Press)

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Hellebuyck said he’s happy fans have an opportunity to see the trophies.

“This is such a big hockey community, and I think being able to bring those trophies here and give a little piece of history is pretty cool,” he said.

Meanwhile, Della-Savia said he’s been to Winnipeg with the Stanley Cup, when players from the city got their day with the trophy, but is hoping there will one day be a Stanley Cup party in the city for the Jets.

“Hopefully we’re going to be back here one day celebrating with Winnipeg, ” he said.