Winnipeg Jets' Connor Hellebuyck shortlisted as finalist for Vezina Trophy

A little over an hour before he was due to slide into position between the pipes to take on Minnesota, the NHL announced Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck is one of three finalists up for the Vezina Trophy.

Hellebuyck, Nashville Predators goaliePekka Rinneand the Tampa Bay Lightning'sAndrei Vasilevskiyare the three finalists competing for the prestigious award.

The league gives out the award each year to "the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at this position as voted by the general managers of all NHL clubs," according to NHL.com.

Hellebuyckwould become the first goalie to win the award as Jet.

Winnipeg-born goalie Terry Sawchukwon it four times in his career, but he never playedfor the Jets.

TheJets'fifth-round 2012 draft pick haswowed fans all season long. He won 44 of67 games tying for most wins in the league and setting a club record.

Hellebuyckfinished the season with agoals against average of 2.36 and 0.924 save percentage, another club record.

He was third in the league in shutouts (six) and tied the NHL'ssingle-season record for wins at home.

The Jets awarded Hellebuyckthe DeKalb Three Stars Award just over a week ago. The in-house award goes to the player on the team whonetted the most "Three Stars" of the game honours during the regular season.

The NHL announced the trio of Vezina finalists shortly before the beginning of Game 4 between the Wild and Jets in Minnesota.

The Jets lead the first-round playoff series 3-1 and will head back to Bell MTS Place for Game 5 on Friday.

TheVezinawinner will be announced June 20 during theNHLAwards show at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

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