The 30-year-old forward was the first player selected by Winnipeg after it relocated from Atlanta, going No. 7 in the 2011 NHL Draft. He is second in Winnipeg/Atlanta Thrashers history in goals (272), assists (373) and points (645) in 723 regular-season games, and first in Stanley Cup Playoff goals (19).
He said his decision to stay in Winnipeg were influenced by two of his hockey idols -- Detroit Red Wings great Steve Yzerman and legendary Jet Dale Hawerhcuk, who died August 18, 2020 as the age of 57.
"Those two guys in particular weighed on my thinking a lot," Scheifele said. "To see Dale being a Jet was a big one. It’s a tremendous honor, I’ll never be Dale Hawerchuk, but to know he’s up there watching down on all of us and knowing that I’ll be a lifetime Jet is pretty phenomenal and it gives me the chills. I’m very honored and very excited."
Hellebuyck, who was selected by the Jets in the fifth round (No. 130) of the 2012 NHL Draft, is entering his ninth season with Winnipeg. Last season, he went went 37-25-2 with a 2.49 goals-against average,.920 save percentage and four shutouts in 64 games, which tied for the most in the NHL with Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators. He finished third in voting for the Vezina Trophy, which he previously won in 2020.
"When you’re sitting back and gather all the information around the League that you possibly can, you don’t get a team that is as dialled in as we are and I think that leads with you, Mark," Helledbuyck said. "So thank you for being the player you are and thanks to the organization that believes in me. I think that was the most important aspect and the way I looked at it, this organization believes in me the way I believe in myself and that’s kind of the way I’ve gotten to where I am now and it’s really hard to leave that.
"That breads success and I want to thank you guys a lot for believing in me the way I believe in myself and now I’m ready to be a Jet for life and bring a Cup to this city because I truly believe we can get it done here."
In 445 regular-season games (436 starts), Hellebuyck is 238-154-37 with a 2.66 GAA, .916 save percentage and 32 shutouts. He ranks first in Jets/Thrashers history in wins, save percentage and shutouts.
Cheveldayoff said the contracts are an illustration of how committed the two players and management are to winning a championship.
"A couple of weeks ago we had the opportunity to have a chat before training camp started and I mentioned at that time there were two exciting times of the year, training camp and when you start the playoffs," Cheveldayoff said. "We have a unique opportunity to have a third real exciting time and this is a real pleasure for me to be sitting beside Schief and Helley. What they’e committed to our organization and what our organization committed to them speaks volumes of what they want and they want to win."
The Jets open their regular season at the Calgary Flames on Wednesday (10 p.m. ET; SNW).
NHL.com staff writer Derek Van Diest contributed to this report
