Brooklyn — Connor Hellebuyck ultimately made the correct career decision, having become one of the best goaltenders in the sport of hockey.
But there’s a part of him that wouldn’t have minded to try race-car driving.
Hellebuyck, the Commerce Township native who starred for the gold medal-winning USA Olympic hockey team, was the grand marshal for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway.
Hellebuyck was taken on a lap around the track earlier Sunday and experienced the speed.
“I don’t think I’m built for speed,” Hellebuyck said, when asked about his car-racing dreams as a youngster. “My tall frame, that’s kind of why I gravitated toward the net. I’m not the fastest person around.”
But getting an opportunity to race around the MIS track was a thrill.
“Just feeling the initial g-force, I already have a greater appreciation of what these guys have to do for hours,” Hellebuyck said. “I went for a lap-and-a-half and I could already feel it in my body. There’s definitely a training aspect here that is crucial.
“Those are the little things I’m really looking forward to experiencing.”
Hellebuyck and his family were going to watch the race from a suite, but he was planning on taking advantage of his access around the track.
“I’ve been told I can bounce around and get an aerial view,” Hellebuyck said. “I’m going to try and feel every part of this track. This is just one of those cool experiences I can experience with my whole family and smell the smells and hear the sounds (of the race).”
There is a connection to auto racing in the Hellebuyck family.
Chuck Hellebuyck, Connor’s father, was a stock car driver, competing in many of the area tracks such as Flat Rock and Mount Clemens. Chuck drifted out of the sport before Connor could remember any of the racing.
“He quit before I could see his races,” Hellebuyck said. “We’d see little toys around the houses connected to his racing days. I got into the sport (through his father) and watching how it has evolved over the years. My dad was always watching, and I was like a fly on the wall getting information from him — I call him the insider — based on that I was 10 years old.”
The most important part of day for Hellebuyck on Sunday will be giving the “Drivers, start your engines” command. Hellebuyck smiled when asked how many times he has practiced the command leading up to the race.
“I’m embarrassed how many times we have (practiced the command),” Hellebuyck said. “It’ll be a fun experience. I’d be lying if I wasn’t (nervous). But at the end of the day it’s great for the state of Michigan, and I’m hopeful I can get everyone amped up.
“It’ll be one of those moments I’ll cherish the rest of my life.”
tkulfan@detroitnews.com
@tkulfan
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Connor Hellebuyck shifts from goaltender to grand marshal at MIS
Reporting by Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
