NEWARK, N.J. – New Jersey Devils fans wasted no time rocking some Connor Hellebuyck jerseys to Prudential Center.
At Saturday’s Devils game against the Los Angeles Kings – the team’s first game since its blockbuster trade for the three-time Vezina Trophy-winning goalie – fans dusted off the old Hellebuyck sweaters (and in some cases, bought a brand new one) to show their support for their new goaltender.
“I figured I had to break it out for this,” said Steven Brennan, a Devils fans wearing his Hellebuyck Winnipeg Jets jersey. “Before I get a real Devils one.”
Brennan said he’s been a Hellebuyck fan for the last decade or so, stemming from his Western Conference Final run in 2018. Brennan is a goalie himself, and said Hellebuyck caught his eye way back then.
“Eight years later, he wins a gold medal for the United States, which I was ecstatic about,” Brennan said. “I wore this (Jets) jersey when they were playing. … I’m happy he’s in the Garden State.”
Glen Bradish, a jersey collector who said he owns over 100 jerseys, also decided to break out his Hellebuyck Jets jersey to the game – the first time he’s worn a non-Devils jersey to a Devils game.
“I thought this was a perfect opportunity to wear my Hellebuyck jersey,” he said.
Also a goalie himself, Bradish typically saves his non-Devils jerseys to wear to the rink during his own adult league games.
Now, he’s patiently awaiting his next Hellebuyck sweater.
“I’m waiting for the new (Hometown Remix) Hellebuyck jersey," he said.
In Quinn Fitterer’s case, she was one of the rare fans who had already secured a Hellebuyck Devils sweater – fresh off the press at Prudential Center.
“As soon as (the trade news) came out, I knew I wanted his jersey,” Fitterer said, adding that she got the jersey just a few minutes earlier. “I’m just so excited.”
She said she’s new to the Hellebuyck fandom, but was excited to see him win Olympic gold with Team USA this past winter.
“He’s an amazing player,” Fitterer said. “I’m really excited to have him here because I definitely think we have a better chance to make it to the playoffs and have a better season.”
When talking about which sweater will be her next one, her dad chimed in.
“The next jersey we’re getting is his with the Stanley Cup logo on it,” he said.
