Hockey fans will get 'unique opportunity' to get up close and personal with NHL trophies at Jets game

When hockey fans make their way through the Canada Life Centre concourse Friday night, they might notice some hockey hardware on display.

The Vezina and William M. Jennings trophies will be on display during the Winnipeg Jets' game against the San Jose Sharks, giving fansthe chance to take photos with the two awards. The festivities are all part of a special night in recognition of Winnipeg Jets goalieConnor Hellebuyck.

"Fans will be able to come up, just like the player, put their arm around it, touch it, get a photo with it," saidIzak Westgate, the manager of outreach exhibits and assistant curator with the Hockey Hall of Fame'sDoc Seaman Hockey Resource Centre.

"When you're at the Hall of Fame, they're behind glass, so this is definitely a unique opportunity for the fans."

Hellebuyck took home the Vezina awarded to the NHL's top goalielast season for the second time in his career, posting a37-19-4 record. He boasted a2.39 goals-against average a .921 save percentage, along with five shutouts in 60 games last season.

He also won the William M. Jennings Trophy,awarded every year to a goalie who plays a minimum of 25 games for the team that allows the fewest goals during the regular season.

Westgate said opportunities to see players up close withthe trophies they've worked hard to earn are some of the more specialmoments in his job.

"When we're bringing them on these trips, it actually gives them a chance to look at the trophy and look at all the names that won it before them," he said.

"Often it's their idols growing up and honestly, they're like a kid in the candy store no different than a fan who's coming to take a picture with the trophy."

That sentiment is also shared by Mario Della-Savia, an outreach specialist at the Hockey Hall of Fame who also travels with the league's hardware.

"I cannot say enough about the family and the friends and the grandparents and the aunts and uncles," he said. "When we bring the trophies everybody is so thrilled and so excited for the individual."

Della-Savia said the trophies also made an appearance at the Hockey For All Centre in west Winnipeg earlier this week, where some young players got a chance to see them.

"It's always great to see the young boy or girl that wants to be a goalie. They're very unique individuals that goaltenders are," he said.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Hellebuyck said he's happy fans have anopportunity to see the trophies.

"This is such a big hockey community, and I think being able to bring those trophies here and give a little piece of history is pretty cool," he said.

Meanwhile, Della-Savia said he's been to Winnipeg with the Stanley Cup, when players from the city got their day with the trophy, but is hoping there will one day be a Stanley Cupparty in the city forthe Jets.

"Hopefully we're going to be back here one day celebrating with Winnipeg, " he said.

Hockey fans get up close and personal with NHL hardware

6 days ago

Duration 1:28

The Vezina and William M. Jennings trophies were on display in Winnipeg Friday as part of a celebration for Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck at the team's game.