Team USA's two Olympic heroes are now NHL teammates.

Visit turconews.click for more information.

Goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 41 of 42 shots against Canada in the gold medal game, was traded to the New Jersey Devils, where he will now team up with Jack Hughes, who netted the golden goal in overtime.

Hellebuyck and Hughes were the stars who helped the United States bring home its first gold medal in Olympic hockey since the Miracle on Ice in 1980.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE

He becomes the latest high-profile American Team USA star to leave a Canadian NHL team for one in the United States. In June, the Ottawa Senators dealt captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers, where he joined his brother, Matthew. In December, the Vancouver Canucks traded star defenseman Quinn Hughes, a brother of Jack and teammate Luke, to the Minnesota Wild. There has long been speculation that Quinn, who scored an overtime winner against Sweden in the quarterfinals, wants to join his brothers in New Jersey.

The process to trade Hellebuyck became messy, especially after the goalie went public with his request to leave the Winnipeg Jets in September. The Jets suspended the goalie for failing to report for camp in a disciplinary move that extended into the season with Hellebuyck not getting paid.

The Devils sent center Dawson Mercer, goalie Nico Daws, prospect Alexander Command, forward Nick Bjugstad, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-rounder to Winnipeg for Hellebuyck.

TEAM USA STAR BRADY TKACHUK ENDURES 'YOU EAT CRAYONS' TAUNT IN WILD RETURN TO CANADA

When training camp opened, new Devils general manager Sunny Mehta said he was very comfortable with the team’s goaltending situation. Since then, Daws and Jake Allen have combined for an .880 save percentage, which ranks 23rd among 32 teams.

Hellebuyck is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner and was named the NHL's MVP of the 2024-25 season.

Following their gold medal victory, Hellebuyck and Hughes were among the members of the team who attended the State of the Union address days later where President Donald Trump announced that Hellebuyck would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Hellebuyck also was Team USA's goalie during the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025.

With a 345-208-55 regular-season record, Hellebuyck ranks 27th in career wins on the NHL list, and fifth among U.S.-born players. Among U.S.-born goalies with 300 or more career starts, his .916 save percentage ranks fourth and 2.58 goals-against average ranks sixth.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Czytaj dalej u źródła

The NBA season may be only two days old, but Charles Barkley already appears to be in midseason form. During the first hour of Wednesday night’s "NBA Tip-Off" pregame show, Barkley appeared to surprise host Ernie Johnson with an unexpected revelation about Shaquille O’Neal.

Visit sweetbonanza.qpon for more information.

Barkley suggested that O’Neal knows FBI Director Kash Patel, delivering the comment so casually that the entire "Inside the NBA" crew broke into laughter.

"Hey, Kenny. Should we be standing this close to Shaq?" Barkley asked.

CHARLES BARKLEY WEIGHS IN ON THE FRICTION IN THE 'MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' BROADCAST BOOTH

Fellow NBA analyst Kenny Smith responded: "Why is that?"

"He’s been hanging out with Kash Patel," Barkley explained. "That’s dangerous."

"Oh!! Oh! Oh, I didn’t know you were gonna be going there," Johnson said. "But I should have known you would."

"Alright, Chuck," O’Neal replied as he continued to laugh. "Alright, Chuck."

For more than three decades, Ernie Johnson has hosted "Inside the NBA," which originates from a television studio in Atlanta. Two-time NBA champion Kenny Smith joined the show in 1998, Barkley came aboard in 2000 and O’Neal became a permanent fixture in 2011.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE

"I got your back, big fella," Barkley said. "We can hang out with who the hell we want to."

Barkley was hinting to Patel’s decision in September to name O’Neal an honorary FBI special agent.

"This session is historic – FBI was honored to be joined by one of the best supporters of law enforcement in the country -Shaq- who graduated with this session and became an honorary FBI Special Agent," Patel wrote on Sept. 17, in a post to X.

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL TROLLS CHARLES BARKLEY DURING HIS LSU MASTER'S DEGREE GRADUATION CEREMONY

During his graduation ceremony, O’Neal joked that Barkley could be his first arrest. "Some of you will go back to your regular jobs, some of you will go to specialized training," O’Neal said in a speech to the graduating class.

"Some of you will go do what I do, be undercover. Well, I was undercover… But I just wanna say I appreciate you guys so much. Congratulations. I am not here for this; I am here for you… And if you see Charles Barkley, arrest him."

Czytaj dalej u źródła