From Milan Glory to Presidential Medal Of Freedom: How Connor Hellebuyck's Olympic Run Reshapes His Legacy

Emerson Raymont

Published: February 25, 2026 2:34 PM ET

From Milan Glory to Presidential Medal Of Freedom: How Connor Hellebuyck's Olympic Run Reshapes His Legacy

Who feels the shockwave first is simple: Connor Hellebuyck and the American hockey audience that watched him carry Team USA. Hellebuyck will receive the presidential medal of freedom following his gold-medal performance in Milan, and that recognition immediately reframes his standing—from a goaltender known for big-game promise to a national figure tied to the United States’ first Olympic men’s hockey gold since 1980.

Presidential Medal Of Freedom and immediate impact on Hellebuyck's profile

Here’s the part that matters: the presidential medal of freedom lands on a career already heavy with trophies and scrutiny. For Hellebuyck, age 32, the award elevates an Olympic performance into a civic moment tied to presidential recognition. The gesture also puts fresh attention on how his Olympic showing fits with his regular-season dominance and the long-standing playoff questions attached to his name.

Event details from Milan without a step-by-step replay

Hellebuyck made 41 saves in the gold-medal game, including a notable stop with his stick held behind his back, helping secure a 2-1 overtime victory against Canada. That win came on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 22, 2026. It was the United States’ first Olympic gold in men’s hockey since 1980. In the tournament’s five games, Hellebuyck stopped 95. 6% of shots on goal (131 of 137) and allowed more than one goal just once—unclear in the provided context.

Career timeline and the milestones that led here

College and draft: Made a name at UMass Amherst, spent two college seasons, won the Hockey East Conference both seasons, reached the Frozen Four in his freshman year and was named top college goalie in his sophomore season. Drafted in 2012 as the fourth-round pick, 130th overall, by the Winnipeg Jets.
NHL debut and breakout: NHL debut on Nov. 27, 2015; won his first four games and recorded a shutout in his ninth appearance. Broke out in his third season, leading the NHL with 44 wins, earning his first All-Star nod and finishing second in Vezina Trophy voting, then won the Vezina two years later.
International appearances: Represented the United States in the 4 Nations and played in the men’s world championships in 2015 and 2017.
Recent honors: Now the back-to-back reigning Vezina Trophy winner and one of just 13 goalies in NHL history to win the award three or more times; he is also the reigning Hart Memorial Trophy winner, given to the NHL’s Most Valuable Player.

Performance paradox: regular-season excellence versus playoff questions

Regular-season dominance has not fully translated to deep playoff runs. Since making the Western Conference Finals in the 2017-18 campaign, Hellebuyck and the Jets have not advanced past the second round. His playoff record stands at 24-34 lifetime, with a playoff save percentage of. 903 that falls from a. 917 regular-season mark. The numbers around goals-against average are presented in the context as: owning a 2. 79 GAA (goals-against average) of 2. 55 in the regular season since 2017, that number is 2. 90 in the playoffs.

State of the Union moment and presidential recognition

President Donald Trump welcomed Team USA’s men’s hockey to the State of the Union address days after the Olympic gold. The presidential spotlight on the team coincides with the decision to bestow the Presidential Medal Of Freedom on Hellebuyck, tying an athletic achievement directly to a presidential honor and to a national political moment.

What’s easy to miss is how tightly intertwined a single Olympic tournament can become with season-long narratives: an award like the Presidential Medal Of Freedom amplifies public memory in a way trophies alone do not.

Key career numbers and moments: 41 saves in the gold-medal game; 2-1 OT final vs. Canada on Feb. 22, 2026; stopped 131 of 137 shots (95. 6%) in five games.
College to NHL arc: UMass Amherst stand-out, 2012 fourth-round pick (130th overall), NHL debut Nov. 27, 2015 with early shutout and four straight wins to start.
Awards stack: back-to-back Vezina wins, among a select group with three-plus Vezinas, and current Hart Trophy holder.
Persistent question: strong regular seasons contrasted with a 24-34 playoff record and lower postseason save percentage.
Public recognition: welcomed at the State of the Union and set to receive the Presidential Medal Of Freedom, linking the Olympic run to a national moment.

The real question now is how this medal and the Olympic spotlight will affect Hellebuyck’s legacy—whether it becomes the pivot that reframes playoff shortcomings or a high point that sits alongside them. Recent updates indicate the Presidential Medal Of Freedom award and State of the Union recognition are part of the immediate aftermath; details may evolve.