Hellebuyck tired of fight for goalie interference clarity: 'I've tried my best'

Winnipeg Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck is running out of steam in his fight for clarity on the NHL's goaltender interference rules.

"I've tried my best to help over the last four or five years, and I'm getting to a point in my career where I'm a little more family-oriented," he said Monday. "If it's not going to get anywhere, I might have to move onto the next guy, pass it on. I've tried to help, I've tried to make it more black and white."

Hellebuyck's comments come one day after a controversial goal from Brandon Hagel was allowed to stand in the first period of the Jets' clash against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Winnipeg challenged for goaltender interference, but the league found that no such infraction occurred in accordance of Rule 69.7, which states:

In a rebound situation, or where a goalkeeper and attacking player(s) are simultaneously attempting to play a loose puck, whether inside or outside the crease, incidental contact with the goalkeeper will be permitted, and any goal that is scored as a result thereof will be allowed.

From Hellebuyck's perspective, Hagel's tally was clearly interference.

"Incidental contact is going for the puck and maybe pushing the pad or hitting the glove or something that's around the puck," he explained. "When you miss the puck and drive the goalie three feet into the back of the net, that's no longer incidental contact. That's, 'Oh, I missed the puck. This is the only thing I can do to affect the play, is goalie interference.'"

Hellebuyck added, "Just when I thought we were getting somewhere, they go and make that decision."

After Winnipeg's failed challenge, the Lightning scored on the ensuing power play, putting the Jets in a 0-2 hole. However, they were able to rally and win the contest 7-4 to improve to 11-1-0 on the year.

"We knew we just got screwed and we just went with it," Hellebuyck said. "When a team can battle back from that, that's good things to come."

Hellebuyck has been vocal about the inconsistencies surrounding goaltender interference for a long time. He said he appeared before the competition committee two years ago and gave a 45-minute presentation, complete with charts, clips, and notes in an attempt to explain what he thinks should and should not fall under interference.

"I just tried to hash it out with them," he said. "I don't think it got anywhere."

He continued, "I know they definitely listened, but I don't think they were willing to go in the direction I was trying to go. Maybe because we're all biased and I'm a goalie, so they might think I'm very biased."

The reigning Vezina Trophy winner, Hellebuyck owns an 8-1-0 record and .917 save percentage on the season.