WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Three-time Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Connor Hellebuyck went public on Thursday in confirming he's asked the Winnipeg Jets to trade him.
In a statement released by his agent, Ray Petkau, Hellebuyck said he made the request several months ago and “tried to handle the situation quietly and respectfully while giving the organization time to explore its options.”
Hellebuyck said he felt it was important to go public because training camp is fast approaching. Camps are set to open in roughly three weeks.
“My position has not changed, and I believe moving on is the best path forward for me and my family,” Hellebuyck said. “(I) hope a resolution can be reached soon.”
Hellebuyck, 33, has played his entire NHL career with the Jets and was voted MVP in the 2024-25 season. He backstopped the U.S. to the gold medal at the Olympics in February.
General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff acknowledged he's been working to trade the player, but otherwise had no update.
“Connor has been open with us about his desire for a change. He has been an important part of the Winnipeg Jets organization for many years, and we have tremendous respect for what he has accomplished here,” Cheveldayoff said in a statement released by the team. “While we continue to work through the situation in a thoughtful manner, there is no update at this time.”
Trade rumors swirled about Hellebuyck in late June around the draft, but nothing came to fruition. The Michigan native missed time because of injury and had a career-worst .895 save percentage last season as Winnipeg underachieved expectations and missed the playoffs.
But his track record and body of work are among the best at the position over the past decade. His 345 wins, 2.58 goals-against average and .916 save percentage since entering the league in 2015 are second only to Tampa Bay two-time Stanley Cup champion Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Hellebuyck has not enjoyed the same postseason success as Vasilevskiy and the Lightning. He's 24-34, with the Jets only making it past the second round and into the Western Conference final once, back in 2018.
He signed an eight-year, $59.5 million extension with Winnipeg in October 2023. He's under contract through 2031 at a salary cap hit of $8.5 million.
“Winnipeg has been my home for my entire NHL career, and I will always be grateful for my time there,” Hellebuyck said. “I appreciate everything Winnipeg Jets fans have meant to me throughout my career.”
See AP’s full NHL coverage here
FILE - Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stands by the net during a time out from play against the Dallas Stars in the first period of an NHL hockey game, April 2, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
MIAMI (AP) — Social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate both took the witness stand in federal court on Thursday and said they can’t adequately defend themselves from criminal sex charges if they have to remain in a Miami jail while fighting extradition to the United Kingdom.
During nearly two hours in a Miami courtroom, the Tates, in shackles and tan jail jumpsuits, denied under oath criminal accusations across multiple countries, blasted their critics and described their brash online personas that exude wealth and excess as characters and not their true personalities.
Prosecutors rejected the brothers' claim they are just acting. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abbie Waxman told a judge that Andrew Tate is accused of choking and holding victims and raping them while Tristan Tate is accused of human trafficking, money laundering and violence against minors.
The brothers also face sex crime charges in Romania and prosecutors said they have contacted witnesses in that case and talked about it on video.
“They promote incredible violence against women consistent with the allegations against them," Waxman said.
Andrew Tate maintained his innocence on the stand. He said he can't work with his Romanian lawyers while in jail in America and fears his absence will mean an unfair life sentence in Eastern Europe.
“If I lose a fair fight I can take it," he said.
Lawyers for the Tates are asking a judge to allow them to be freed from custody at least until an extradition hearing can be held on their U.K. rape and trafficking charges. They have remained in a federal detention center in Miami since they were arrested July 18.
Their attorneys argued that their high profile and active social media presence make it nearly impossible for them to flee.
The U.K.’s request was out of line because their criminal case in Romania is going first. Romanian officials have let them remain free until the proceedings conclude and they have not tried to flee and are complying with all court restrictions.
The judge reminded defense attorneys she has to follow U.S. laws. Prosecutors said the serious U.K. charges increased the risk for the Tates.
No date for an extradition hearing has been set. The U.K. has until mid-September to provide evidence to the State Department.
Prosecutors said the brothers appear to have money and have bragged about multiple passports.
The Tates said their claims of wealth are largely exaggerated to boost their social media personas. They said luxury items like the $50 million yacht or $2.1 million Aston Martin car seen in their videos don’t belong to them.
But prosecutors showed a passport for “Vladimir Scorpio” from Mexico with Tristan Tate’s date of birth and photo. They said it has a real Mexican identification number. They also told the judge the brothers have shown no evidence the luxury boat or cars were rented or borrowed.
The Tates have become among the world’s most polarizing internet personalities by promoting wealth, male dominance and misogyny through their social media empire.
Andrew Tate, 39, has said women who are sexually assaulted should bear some responsibility for the attacks and shared graphic descriptions of how he might attack women. Tristan Tate, 38, has worked with his brother on multiple businesses, including the production of online webcam pornography.
On his way into court Thursday, defense attorney Joseph McBride told reporters he hasn’t heard of a case where U.S. Magistrate Lauren Louis has allowed someone out on bail while awaiting an extradition hearing.
But while the odds aren’t in their favor, McBride felt like the truth was. He called them innocent, good men who have never run from the law.
In court, Tristan Tate was called to the stand Thursday and said he can't prove he is innocent if he is kept in jail.
“I need to clear my name. I need to take part in these proceedings, I can’t do that from the secure housing unit," he said.
Both brothers also complained of conditions at the Miami jail. Tristan Tate said there are ants and the only toilet in his cell is where anyone walking by can see him. He said he has lost 14 pounds (6.4 kilograms) eating mostly junk food in the nearly six weeks he has been in custody.
Andrew Tate testified that people are confusing him with a character he plays online. He said people who accuse him of attacking women or supporting human trafficking are taking his comments out of context.
“On the internet, you have to shake people out of apathy," he said.
The former professional kickboxers, who have dual U.S. and U.K. citizenship, have millions of social media followers and are vocal supporters of President Donald Trump. The White House has said the brothers shouldn’t expect any help from the president.
Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.
Attorney Joseph McBride, right, who represents Andrew and Tristan Tate as they fight extradition to the United Kingdom on charges of rape and sex trafficking, speaks to news media before a bond hearing at the C. Clyde Atkins U.S. Courthouse in Miami, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Azeneth Gregoira, a supporter of Andrew and Tristan Tate, holds a sign supporting the brothers outside the C. Clyde Atkins U.S. Courthouse before a bond hearing as the Tates fight extradition to the United Kingdom on rape and sex trafficking charges, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Attorneys Joseph McBride, center, and Andrew Ford, right, who represent Andrew and Tristan Tate as they fight extradition to the United Kingdom on charges of rape and sex trafficking, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, arrive for a bond hearing at the C. Clyde Atkins U.S. Courthouse, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Attorney Joseph McBride, right, who represents Andrew and Tristan Tate as they fight extradition to the United Kingdom on charges of rape and sex trafficking, speaks to the news media before a bond hearing at the C. Clyde Atkins U.S. Courthouse in Miami, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
