CHICAGO HOCKEY INSIDER | NHL TEAM | CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Blackhawks, Jets Legend Dustin Byfuglien Makes Surprise Return to Winnipeg

PUBLICATION

Sam Walker
January 11, 2025 (10:30)

SHARE THIS STORY

Former NHL defenseman Dustin Byfuglien walked away from the NHL in 2019, ditching a contract worth a whopping $14 million and since, he's gone ghost mode. In April of 2020, Byfuglien confirmed his retirement, he officially had stepped away from hockey.

Since, we have not heard much from Dustin Byfuglien, aside from seeing a photo here and there of him competing in fishing tournaments , he's also a hockey dad of three!

Since 2019, we have not seen him, but on Friday night during the Winnipeg Jets' ceremony for Hellebuyck, 31, becoming the third-fastest goalie in NHL history to reach 300 wins , 'Big Buff' as he was once called made an official appearance, and the crowd erupted!

Byfuglien is a great friend of Hellebuyck's, the goaltender who just reached 300-NHL wins even has a photo of Byfuglien fishing on his goalie helmet

Several former teammate of Hellebuyck sent in a video to the Jets organization, congratulating the goaltender for completing such a historic feat, and Byfuglien was one of those former teammates.

His message may have been short, and also a little expletive, but the crowd went wild upon seeing a wild Buf Buff appearance on the scoreboard:

Loading from Twitter ...

Byfuglien, 6-foot-5 and 206lbs, was truly one of the last 'scary' NHL defenseman to face during his final days in the NHL, matched with his high hockey iq; he was a lethal threat for the Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets.

Byfuglien also had another message for Hellebuyck, have a look:

Loading from Twitter ...

For those who miss Byfuglien, they can surely get a reminder of his big-bodied playing style by checking out this compilation: Dustin Byfuglien - Here Comes The Boom Montage

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams Father Sparks A Huge Controversy

Tragedy Strikes NHL Utah's Goaltender Connor Ingram And The Team Takes Action

900-Game NHL Veteran Who Retired Unexpectedly Signs A New Contract

POLL
JANVIER 11 \| 202 ANSWERS Blackhawks, Jets Legend Dustin Byfuglien Makes Surprise Return to Winnipeg Do you think Dustin Byfuglien is your favorite Blackhawks defenseman of all-time?
Yes	32	15.8 %
It's hard to tell	16	7.9 %
For enforcers, yes!	49	24.3 %
No	105	52 %
List of polls

Blackhawks, Jets Legend Dustin Byfuglien Makes Surprise Return to Winnipeg

Former NHL defenseman Dustin Byfuglien walked away from the NHL in 2019, ditching a contract worth a whopping $14 million and since, he's gone ghost mode. In April of 2020, Byfuglien confirmed his retirement, he officially had stepped away from hockey.

Do you think Dustin Byfuglien is your favorite Blackhawks defenseman of all-time?