Connor Hellebuyck makes his New Jersey Devils debut as starter in net at Dallas

DALLAS (AP) — Connor Hellebuyck made his debut for the New Jersey Devils when the veteran goaltender started against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night.

The start came four days after the 33-year-old three-time Vezina Trophy winner was traded to New Jersey after his suspension by the Winnipeg Jets for failing to report to training camp. His last NHL action prior to Tuesday came on April 13, a 6-2 loss at Vegas.

Hellebuyck spent 11 seasons with the Jets, including a Presidents’ Trophy-winning season in 2024-25, and helped the United States win gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics this year.

A fifth-round draft pick in 2012 by Winnipeg, Hellebuyck is fifth on the U.S.-born goaltenders list with at least 345 career wins. Among U.S.-born goalies with 300 or more career starts, his .916 save percentage going into Tuesday ranked fourth and 2.58 goals-against average ranked sixth.

“Sitting at home for so long was getting to me. For myself, I’m just really excited to play hockey again,” Hellebuyck said Saturday, when he spoke to reporters a day after the trade. “I’m joining a very skilled group. They brought me for a certain specific role. I’m really excited to fill that role, not only on the ice but off the ice as well.”

Hellebuyck was skating in Michigan before the trade was completed and went through one practice and Tuesday’s optional morning skate. He has five seasons left on a seven-year contract with an annual salary cap hit of $8.5 million.

He started Tuesday opposite No. 2 Dallas goaltender Casey DeSmith. The Stars’ No. 1 goalie, Jake Oettinger, was Team USA’s third-string goalie at the Olympics behind Hellebuyck and Boston’s Jeremy Swayman and didn’t see any game action.

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

New Jersey Devils goaltender Connor Hellebuyck takes the ice prior to an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

New Jersey Devils goaltender Connor Hellebuyck takes the ice prior to an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

New Jersey Devils goaltender Connor Hellebuyck takes the ice prior to an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

New Jersey Devils goaltender Connor Hellebuyck takes the ice prior to an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

FILE - Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save on a shot by Ottawa Senators' Dylan Cozens (24) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Ottawa, Ontario, on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (Patrick Doyle/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

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)

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Stan Wawrinka’s illustrious tennis career finally came to an end on Tuesday at his home tournament in Basel.

The three-time Grand Slam winner was beaten by eighth-seeded Jiri Lehecka in the first round of the Swiss Indoors, losing 7-5, 7-6 (2).

The 41-year-old Wawrinka’s last shot as a professional tennis player was a backhand that landed wide — to the audible disappointment of the vociferous home crowd.

Wawrinka, who turned pro in 2002, had announced last December that 2026 would be his last year on tour and “Stan the Man” had received warm sendoffs throughout his farewell season.

“For me, all I wanted in my career was to give everything, to have no regrets, to always fight, to always give 100% in every match — out of respect for myself, for the opponent, for the tournament, for the fans, for everybody," Wawrinka told the ATP Tour website ahead of his final match.

“That was always the most important thing for more than 20 years, and that’s the only way you can leave the sport: without any regrets.”

Wawrinka won his three Grand Slam titles after defeating the then-world No. 1 player in each final. He beat Rafael Nadal to win the 2014 Australian Open and downed Novak Djokovic for the French Open title in 2015 and the U.S. Open the following year.

Wawrinka, who reached a career-high world ranking of No. 3 in 2014, won 16 tour-level titles.

He also paired up with Roger Federer in a Switzerland team to win the doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The duo helped Switzerland win its first Davis Cup title in 2014.

See AP’s full tennis coverage here

Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka returns a shot to Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka during the first round of the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP)

Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka serves to Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka during the first round of the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP)

Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka reacts during a first round match against Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP)

Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka returns a shot to Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka during the first round of the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP)

Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka walks onto the court for his first round match against Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP)