Connor Hellebuyck calls out NHL referees after game against Latvia
Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck called out NHL referees from the other side of the world after they beat Latvia 5-1 in their first game of the 2026 Olympics.
Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyk helped lead the way for Team USA in their opening game of the 2026 Olympics against Latvia, as he made 17 saves in the 5-1 Team USA win.
But there were a few controversies during the game that saw two goals from Team USA wiped out, one of them because of offside and another because of goaltender interference.
New York Rangers captain JT Miller was ruled to have interfered with Latvian goalie Elvis Merzlikins on what would have been a tip-in goal from Brock Nelson.
Even though they picked up the win, Hellebuyck delivered a shot to NHL referees on the other side of the world when he was asked what he thought about the goalie interference call.
Well, they’re different every year in the NHL, too. So, who knows? - Connor Hellebuyck
So far in the Olympics, it appears as though the referees will be calling goalie interference extra tightly.
Connor Hellebuyck Was Selected For Team USA Once Again
Hellebuyck, thought of as one of the NHL's top goalies, was back in the crease for Team USA as he was last February during the 4 Nations Faceoff.
This is his first time playing in the Olympics, as it's also the first time that NHL players have participated in the Olympics since the 2014 Sochi Games.
Along with Hellebuyck, Team USA chose Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger (who Hellebuyck and the Jets lost to in last year's Western Conference Semifinal) and Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman.
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FEVRIER 12|351 ANSWERS Connor Hellebuyck calls out NHL referees after game against Latvia Is Connor Hellebuyck the right starting goalie for Team USA? | ||
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