Hellebuyck to honor Snyder with patch inside new jersey
Connor Hellebuyck is returning to his familiar jersey number.
The Winnipeg Jets goaltender had worn No. 30 since cracking the NHL lineup, but wore No. 37 while playing for the AHL's Manitoba Moose and in international competition.
However, the franchise had unofficially retired that number due to the death of Atlanta Thrashers forward Dan Snyder as a result of a 2003 car accident.
Hellebuyck has apparently received permission from the Snyder family to revert to his old number, and he will honor Snyder with a patch sewn inside his jersey.
Connor Hellebuyck's #37 jersey will have this patch sewn inside. Thank you to the Snyder family for their support. pic.twitter.com/20qLgSMeIa
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) September 7, 2016
The Jets hand out the Dan Snyder Memorial Award after every season, given to the player who "best embodies perseverance, dedication, and hard work without reward or recognition, so that his team and teammates might succeed."
- With h/t to Illegal Curve