NHL team put a stop to the superstar's return – the explanation is quite something!

New Jersey Devils’ star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will not face his former team, the Winnipeg Jets, in Tuesday’s NHL matchup. The team management has decided to keep the goaltender out of the game, which he himself wanted to participate in.

Hellebuyck’s return to Winnipeg was expected to be exceptionally emotional. He represented the Jets for 11 seasons and won the NHL’s Most Valuable Player award while playing for the team. However, last summer the goaltender demanded a trade elsewhere and refused to play for the team any longer.

Winnipeg traded Hellebuyck to the Devils on October 23. Tuesday’s matchup would have been his first game in his former home arena since the trade.

Devils’ GM Sunny Mehta justified the team’s decision in a statement released on Sunday in a rather unusual way.

– In our assessment, his playing in that game would actually weaken our chances of winning, the statement reads.

The claim is puzzling, as Hellebuyck has been in excellent form with his new team. He has won all five of his games as a Devil and recently recorded a shutout against Toronto.

According to Mehta, the decision was considered within the organization for a long time. Hellebuyck had made it clear to the team management that he felt it was his duty to play against Winnipeg.

The star goaltender commented on the situation with disappointment after the Toronto game.

– I am disappointed, but I understand the team’s decision, he said.

– I love Winnipeg. It would have been nice to play there and face the consequences. To see the people’s reactions. But it’s not in my hands, Hellebuyck continued.

The Devils will only visit Winnipeg once during the regular season, so Hellebuyck will miss the opportunity to play in front of his old home crowd at least this season.

The goaltender may still have to answer questions related to his departure. The Devils have announced that Hellebuyck will be available for interviews after Tuesday’s morning skate.