Flashback 100: Walled Lake Northern's Hellebuyck Reigns as NHL's Elite Netminder
March 7, 2025
Connor Hellebuyck has been a Knight, a Jackalope, a River Hawk, and a Jet – but above all, he’s one of the NHL’s premier goaltenders.
The Walled Lake Northern alum is a two-time Vezina Trophy winner (2020, 2024), awarded annually to the league’s top goalie. This season, his numbers are even better than during his award-winning years, and he has led the Winnipeg Jets to the best record in hockey through 62 games.
Hellebuyck’s journey to NHL stardom began at Walled Lake Northern (nicknamed the Knights) before he was selected in the fifth round of the 2012 NHL Draft by the Jets. He spent a season in junior hockey with the Odessa Jackalopes, then played two standout years at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (the River Hawks). There, he backstopped the team to its first-ever Frozen Four appearance in 2013, was twice named Hockey East Tournament MVP, and became the inaugural winner of the Mike Richter Award, recognizing the top goaltender in college hockey.
After his sophomore year at UMass-Lowell, Hellebuyck turned pro, beginning his career in the AHL with the St. John’s IceCaps and Manitoba Moose. By the middle of the 2015 season, he'd earned a call-up to the Jets – and he hasn’t looked back, cementing his place as their franchise goaltender.
Previous "Flashback 100" Features
Feb. 27: Zeerip's Mat Stats Remain Rarely-Challenged Chart Toppers - Read
Feb. 21: Before TV Stardom, Kerwin Excelled as All-State Skier - Read
Feb. 14: Detroit Central Star Voted into Pro Football Hall of Fame - Read
Feb. 6: Multi-Sport Star Look Becomes Super Bowl Officiating Legend - Read
Jan. 31: Johnson Family Put Magical Stamp on Michigan High School Hoops - Read
Jan. 24: Future Hall of Famers Face Off First in MHSAA Class A Final - Read
Jan. 17: First-Ever WNBA Draft Pick Rocked at Salem, Won Titles at Tennessee - Read
Jan. 10: Despite Launching Before 3-Point Line, Smith Still Tops Scoring List - Read
Jan. 3: Edison's Jackson Earns Place Among State's All-Time Elite - Read
Dec. 20: Future Olympian Piper Leads Grosse Pointe North to Historic Heights - Read
Dec. 13: The Other Mr. Forsythe in Michigan School Sports - Read
Dec. 6: Coleman's Legendary Heroics Carry Harrison Through Repeat - Read
Nov. 29: Harbaugh Brothers' Football Roots Planted in Part at Pioneer - Read
Nov. 22: 8-Player Football Finals Right at Home at Superior Dome - Read
Nov. 15: Leland Career Helps Set Stage for Glass' International Stardom - Read
Nov. 8: Future Baseball Pro Led Escanaba's Legendary Football Title Run - Read
Nov. 1: Michigan High School Baseball Trio Provide World Series Voices - Read
Oct. 25: Before Leading Free World, Ford Starred for Champion GR South - Read
Oct. 18: Mercy Links Legend Becomes World Golf Hall of Famer - Read
Oct. 11: Fisher Races to Finals Stardom on Way to U.S. Olympic First - Read
Oct. 4: Lalas Leaves High School Legacies on Ice & Pitch - Read
Sept. 27: Tamer's History-Making Run Starts in Dexter, Continues to Paris - Read
Sept. 20: Todd Martin’s Road to Greatness Starts at East Lansing - Read
Sept. 13: James Earl Jones, Dickson High Hoops to Hollywood Legend - Read
Sept. 6: Pioneers' Unstoppable Streak Stretches 9 Seasons - Read
Aug. 30: Detroit dePorres Rushes to 1995 Class CC Football Championship - Read
(Photos courtesy of Walled Lake Northern and the NHL.)
Detroit Catholic Central Raises Hockey Record with 6th-Straight Finals Title
March 8, 2025
PLYMOUTH — There’s no place Brandon Kaleniecki would rather make history as a coach than at the place he helped make history as a player.
Kaleniecki played two seasons at Detroit Catholic Central during its run of five consecutive MHSAA hockey championships from 1999 to 2003 before going on to play for the University of Michigan.
That was the record for most consecutive MHSAA hockey championships until now.
The Shamrocks broke the record they shared with their predecessors from more than two decades ago, winning a sixth title in a row with a 4-1 victory over Howell in the Division 1 championship game Saturday night at USA Hockey Arena.
“It’s fun as a player, because you’re part of it in such a different way,” Kaleniecki said. “Perhaps it’s more fun as a coach, because you get to sit back and kind of watch them enjoy it more. For a lot of guys, it might be their last years playing hockey. You just want them to go out with this experience, the same experience I was fortunate to have.
“I think that’s what makes it special for me. It’s a different group in that run every year. I can look back and go, ‘It was that senior class or this senior class.’ That’s what makes it fun for me.”
Kaleniecki has won seven MHSAA championships in 10 seasons as the Shamrocks’ coach. From 2010-16, Catholic Central won four Division 1 titles in seven years under four head coaches. Kaleniecki won the fourth championship during that run and has given the Shamrocks stability at the head of the program.
“When I came back to be the coach here, it felt like I just belonged,” he said. “I knew the surroundings, even though it was a different building and school. It felt like that’s where I wanted to be. When I got into coaching, I couldn’t imagine anywhere else I’d rather be coaching than right here. It really makes it very special for me.”
And each championship is special in its own way for Kaleniecki, because every season brings different challenges and a different set of players.
For example, senior Joe Bedells won this championship as the starting goalie after being the backup last season. He split the starts during the regular season before then-senior Mathieu Chernauckas took the reins for the playoff run.
Bedells allowed only three goals in five postseason games over the last 15 days.
“Last year, I backed up for Mathieu Chernauckas,” Bedells said. “He was an excellent goalie. He rightfully had that starting position. It absolutely drove me to be the best I can for this team and for myself to help win the state championship.”
The Shamrocks took a 2-0 lead on goals by Matthew Naida at 5:25 of the first period and Elian Szerlip at 5:07 of the second.
The Highlanders got back to within a goal when Bryce Eskola backhanded the puck toward the net from the right boards and it went in off the stick of a Catholic Central player at 6:56 of the second.
Catholic Central (28-2) re-established its two-goal lead when Peter Sanin scored with 5:06 remaining in the second period.
The celebration was on once defenseman Ryan Dye scored into an empty net with 50.2 seconds left in the game. It was Dye who scored the biggest goal during the playoff run, an overtime goal in a 2-1 victory over second-ranked Hartland in the Regional championship game.
Heading into the postseason, Warren De La Salle Collegiate defeated Catholic Central in overtime, handing the Shamrocks’ their first loss to a Michigan school in three years. Catholic Central kicked it into gear and went 5-0 in the playoffs, extending their MHSAA Tournament winning streak to 35 games.
“The loss to De La Salle, that was a real defining moment for us, because they kind of flipped the switch and had to find a way down the stretch when it wasn’t easy,” Kaleniecki said.
It was the third MHSAA Finals appearance for Howell, all of which ended with losses to Catholic Central. The first two were in 2009 and 2010.
The Highlanders lost only one game in regulation time all season before Saturday, ending 24-4-2.
“This year we feel like we changed the face of the program across the board,” first-year Howell coach Keith Robertson said. “I told the seniors they changed the trajectory of the program when you take it to the state Finals. It’s special. I couldn’t be more proud of this group. They’ve changed things forever in Howell.”
The Shamrocks outshot the Highlanders 41-10. Henry Lansky made 37 saves for Howell.
PHOTOS (Top) Detroit Catholic Central players raise their championship trophy Saturday at USA Hockey Arena. (Middle) The Shamrocks’ Nick Leiter (3) and Howell’s Ben Huotari contend for a loose puck. (Below) Matthew Naida (12) contemplates his next pass as Bryce Eskola (17) moves in to apply pressure.