St. Louis Blues goaltender Brian Elliott was relaxing on a beach vacation at Turks and Caicos for the All Star Break before the phone rang with an opportunity that he could not resist. For many players, like Sidney Crosby, the All Star Game is something that they find a sick excuse for. Many others beg not to be selected so that they can take a vacation from the 82-game grind. But for Elliott, it was an opportunity that he could not resist.
And credit his wife Amanda, who said while on the beach that if the call was an All Star Game invite that the couple would immediately go. After celebrating with a bottle of champagne with his wife at a beautiful beachside sunset, the Elliotts departed for the chill of Columbus, Ohio.
And, in the process, he has won over a lot of skeptical fans.
The Unproven Number One
It has been a long journey for Elliott, who was drafted 291st overall in 2003 by the Ottawa Senators. He won a NCAA national championship with the Wisconsin Badgers before playing a season in the minor leagues. Elliott then struggled to learn the NHL craft at Ottawa and Colorado before he signed with the Blues in 2011. He has been a solid netminder for St. Louis and made the 2012 All Star Game.
That year Elliott set records for goals against average at 1.56 and save percentage at .940. He gave back hard earned credibility in 2013 however when he reported out of shape following the lockout. Elliott ended up as a healthy scratch for 11 games and his save percentage fell to .907. Last year he rebounded with a .922 save percentage but could not fully earn the trust of head coach Ken Hitchcock and Blues fans.
St. Louis traded for Buffalo Sabres netminder and U.S. Olympic hero Ryan Miller, who was celebrated as their savior in goal. Miller became the instant number one goaltender but failed to deliver in the playoffs. Elliott was hurt by his demotion and worked to come back strong in 2014-15.
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Back in the Saddle
Elliott has come back strong from a December knee injury. The acquisition of future Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur served to push Elliott’s recovery. He has become one of the hardest working Blues and has an improved save percentage of .930.
Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk was particularly impressed with Elliott. “We believe he’s a number one goalie,” said the Norris Trophy candidate for the NHL’s top defenseman. “We’re so happy for him and proud of him that his hard work is finally paying off.”
