Connor Hellebuyck is set to start in net for the United States in its opening game of the 4 Nations Face-Off against Finland on Thursday night.

Connor Hellebuyck will start for Team USA when they begin play at the 4 Nations Face-Off against Finland on Thursday. The United States officially named Hellebuyck their No. 1 following Wednesday's practice -- a mammoth session that lasted well over an hour.

The starting goalies for Thursday night’s game between the United States and Finland have been announced. USA Hockey says Winnipeg Jets’ goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will get the start.

Hellebuyck is one of the biggest reasons the U.S. is favored by some to win the 4 Nations Face-Off. In fact, of the four countries -- Canada, Finland, Sweden and the U.S. -- the United States seemingly has the best and deepest three-man goalie depth chart.

When Scott Arniel took over as coach of the Winnipeg Jets last summer after Rick Bowness retired from a nearly four-decade career behind NHL benches, players had a request. "We asked him to be pushed like an elite team and coached like an elite team,

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has been named Team USA's starter for their opening game of the 4 Nations Face-Off against Finland.