Brian Elliott

Brian Elliott (born April 9, 1985) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the ninth round, 291st overall, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. A two-time NHL All-Star in 2012 and 2015, Elliott has also played in the NHL for the Senators, Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues and Calgary Flames.

This article is about the hockey player. For the social entrepreneur, see Brian Elliot.

Brian Elliott
Elliott practicing with the St. Louis Blues in 2011
Born	(1985-04-09) April 9, 1985 Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Catches	Left
NHL team Former teams	Philadelphia Flyers Ottawa Senators Colorado Avalanche St. Louis Blues Calgary Flames
NHL Draft	291st overall, 2003 Ottawa Senators
Playing career	2006–present

Playing career

Early Years/Ottawa Senators

Elliott grew up in Newmarket, Ontario, playing minor hockey for the Newmarket Redmen AA and the York-Simcoe Express AAA teams in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association. Elliott was not drafted by an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team in 2001 and returned to York-Simcoe for Major Midget the following season. After a solid season in the Eastern AAA Hockey League, Elliott was signed by the Ajax Axemen of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League in 2002–03.

After a standout season with the Ajax Axemen in 2002–03, Elliott was drafted in the ninth round, 291st overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators. The second-last player selected in the draft, Elliott was not expected to progress to the NHL. After being drafted, he would spend four seasons with the University of Wisconsin–Madison, serving as a backup for his first two seasons before securing the starting goaltender position in the 2005–06 season. For his efforts, he was selected as a finalist for the 2005–06 Hobey Baker Memorial Award,[1] collecting eight shutouts in 33 appearances, and leading the Badgers to the 2006 NCAA National Championship. He was then signed by the American Hockey League (AHL)'s Binghamton Senators – an affiliate of the Ottawa Senators – on March 23, 2007, and played in eight games with Binghamton near the end of the 2006–07 season.

Elliott in goal during his tenure with Ottawa.

Elliott was invited to the Ottawa Senators' 2007–08 training camp, but was ultimately assigned to Binghamton on September 25, 2007. He was recalled to Ottawa four days later to back up Martin Gerber, as starting goaltender Ray Emery was recovering from wrist surgery. On October 10, Elliott played in his first NHL game and earned the win against the Atlanta Thrashers. Upon Emery's return, Elliott was sent back to Binghamton, where he played in 44 games that season.

On January 9, 2009, Elliott was recalled by Ottawa after being named the AHL's Goalie of the Month for December.[2] He had been a standout in Binghamton, posting an 18–8–1 record with a 2.31 goals against average (GAA) and .926 save percentage. His play earned him the starting position for the Canadian team in the 2009 AHL All-Star Game.

Elliott made an immediate impact in Ottawa. The team had struggled all season, with inconsistent goaltending being an issue. Craig Hartsburg, Ottawa's head coach at the time, said of the move, "We need some saves, some big saves, and he's done it down there [in Binghamton]."[3] Elliott would finish the season in Ottawa, sharing goaltending duties with veteran Alex Auld. Elliott's emergence effectively made Martin Gerber expendable to the team, and he would later be claimed on waivers by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Elliott was nominated for the NHL's Rookie of the Month award for March 2009, though he would lose out to St. Louis Blues forward T. J. Oshie.[4] In January 2010, he was awarded the NHL's First Star of the Week for January 18–24, and named the League's Second Star of the Week for January 25–31.

Colorado Avalanche

Prior to the trade deadline of the 2010–11 season, Elliott was traded as a part of Ottawa's rebuilding process to the Colorado Avalanche on February 18, 2011, in exchange for goaltender Craig Anderson.[5]

After winning just two of his 12 starts with the Avalanche, combined with a sub-par 3.83 GAA, Elliott was released as a free agent after Colorado declined his qualifying offer.[6]

St. Louis Blues

Elliott playing for the Blues in 2014.

Elliott signed a one-year contract worth $600,000 with the St. Louis Blues on July 1, 2011.[7] Forming a formidable goaltending tandem with Jaroslav Halák, Elliott revitalized his career, posting a 23–10–4 record while sporting a 1.56 GAA. He was also chosen to participate in the 2012 NHL All-Star Game in Ottawa.

On January 18, 2012, Elliott signed a two-year contract extension with the Blues. The deal carried an average annual value of $1.8 million. Elliott reportedly earned $1.7 million in 2012–13 and $1.9 million in 2013–14. After taking over for the injured Halák during the first round of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, Elliott led the Blues to a series victory over the San Jose Sharks before ultimately being swept in round two by the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Los Angeles Kings.

On May 19, 2014, Elliott signed a three-year contract extension to remain in St. Louis. The deal has an average annual value of $2.5 million.[8] On January 22, 2015, Elliott was named to the 2015 NHL All-Star Game in Columbus, replacing Columbus Blue Jackets' goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who pulled out due to injury.[9]

On March 12, 2015, Elliott tied Jaroslav Halák for the Blues' franchise record in shutouts.[10] Five days later, on March 17, Elliott surpassed Halák for the Blues' shutout franchise record.

A 23–8–6 record during the 2015–16 NHL season earned Elliott the starting role for the Blues for the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs. He led the Blues to a first round victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. He made 31 saves in the deciding Game 7 victory on April 25. Elliott and the Blues would then move on to face the Dallas Stars, who had been the Western Conference's number one overall team. Again, the Blues prevailed in seven games. Elliott's only faltering occurred in Game 6 of the series, when he was pulled in favour of Jake Allen after allowing three goals on seven shots. He would rebound the next game, making 31 saves in a decisive 6–1 victory that propelled St. Louis to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2001 where they lost to the San Jose Sharks.[11] Elliott ended up starting all of the game in the playoffs, except Games 4 and 5 of the Western Conference Final.

Calgary Flames

During the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Elliott was traded by the Blues to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a 2016 second-round pick (Jordan Kyrou) and a 2018 conditional third-round pick on June 24, 2016. On October 24, 2016, he won his first game as a Flame against Chicago in a shootout.[12] However, he struggled with the team early, prompting them to switch to Chad Johnson as the team's regular starter. Elliott regained the starting job after starting the season off 3–9–1 with a 3.31 GAA and a save percentage of .885. On June 17, 2017, GM Brad Treliving informed Brian Elliott that he will not be returning to the team for the 2017–18 season.

Philadelphia Flyers

On July 1, 2017, Elliott officially signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers.[13] During the 2017–18 season, Elliott was named the third star of the week for the week of December 17 after he helped the Flyers earn six consecutive wins following a losing streak of 10 games.[14][15] Despite missing a few months due to injury, the Flyers qualified for the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs.[16] Elliott was replaced during their series against the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Flyers lost in the first round 4 games to 2.

On June 26, 2019 Elliott re-signed with the Philadelphia Flyers. Signing a one-year contract worth $2 million.[17]

Personal life

While attending Newmarket High School, he took the school's boys hockey team to the championship, winning it in 2000. He also attended Newmarket High School with former Blues teammate B. J. Crombeen.

Elliott's father, Bill, is a television director who has worked on numerous Canadian television programs, including The Red Green Show.[18] He resides in Wisconsin during the off-season. Elliott has one brother named Dan.

Elliott was taught the art of moose calling by the late Owen Scott, a champion moose caller. He paid tribute to Scott with a moose painted on the back of his goaltender mask. Elliott also had Casey Jones from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles painted on his mask.[19][20] Due to this, his nickname on the Philadelphia Flyers is "moose."[19][21]

During the 2015–16 NHL season, Elliott began wearing all blue pads as a tribute to former Blues goaltender Curtis Joseph, and also had his mask painted with the same design that Joseph wore.[22]

Career statistics

				Regular season										Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	T/OT	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%		GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
2001–02	Ajax Axemen	OPJHL		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Ajax Axemen	OPJHL		39	—	—	—	2097	135	0	3.86	.903		4	—	—	—	—	—	3.62	—
2003–04	University of Wisconsin–Madison	WCHA		6	3	3	0	336	12	0	2.14	.912		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	University of Wisconsin–Madison	WCHA		9	6	2	1	467	9	3	1.16	.945		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	University of Wisconsin–Madison	WCHA		33	25	5	3	2008	52	8	1.55	.938		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	University of Wisconsin–Madison	WCHA		36	15	17	2	2053	72	5	2.10	.923		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Binghamton Senators	AHL		8	3	4	0	425	30	0	4.24	.886		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Ottawa Senators	NHL		1	1	0	0	60	1	0	1.00	.966		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Binghamton Senators	AHL		44	18	19	1	2394	112	2	2.81	.915		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Binghamton Senators	AHL		30	18	8	1	1691	65	2	2.31	.926		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Ottawa Senators	NHL		31	16	8	3	1667	77	1	2.77	.902		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Ottawa Senators	NHL		55	29	18	4	3038	130	5	2.57	.909		4	1	2	203	14	0	4.14	.853
2010–11	Ottawa Senators	NHL		43	13	19	8	2293	122	3	3.19	.894		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		12	2	8	1	690	44	0	3.83	.891		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	St. Louis Blues	NHL		38	23	10	4	2235	58	9	1.56	.940		8	3	4	455	18	0	2.37	.904
2012–13	St. Louis Blues	NHL		24	14	8	1	1292	49	3	2.28	.907		6	2	4	378	12	0	1.90	.919
2012–13	Peoria Rivermen	AHL		2	1	1	0	119	3	1	1.51	.946		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	St. Louis Blues	NHL		31	18	6	2	1624	53	4	1.96	.922		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	St. Louis Blues	NHL		46	26	14	3	2546	96	5	2.26	.917		1	0	0	26	1	0	2.31	.857
2015–16	St. Louis Blues	NHL		42	23	8	6	2263	78	4	2.07	.930		18	9	9	1058	43	1	2.44	.921
2016–17	Calgary Flames	NHL		49	26	18	3	2845	121	2	2.55	.910		4	0	3	185	12	0	3.89	.880
2017–18	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		43	23	11	7	2522	112	1	2.66	.909		4	1	3	178	14	0	4.75	.856
2018–19	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		26	11	11	1	1397	69	1	2.96	.907		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Lehigh Valley Phantoms	AHL		2	1	1	0	121	7	0	3.47	.877		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		31	16	7	4	1674	80	2	2.87	.899
NHL totals				472	241	146	47	26,144	1,090	40	2.50	.912		45	16	25	2,483	114	1	2.76	.903

Awards and achievements

Award	Year
College
All-WCHA Second Team	2005–06
AHCA West First-Team All-American	2005–06
All-NCAA All-Tournament Team	2006	[23]
All-WCHA Second Team	2006–07
NHL
William M. Jennings Trophy	2011–12
All-Star Game	2012, 2015
Lowest GAA (1.56)	2011–12

References

1. "Brian Elliott Bio News". Ottawa Senators Organization. Senators.NHL.com. October 10, 2008. Archived from the original on October 31, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2009.
2. "Senators hope Elliott supplies boost". CBC Sports. January 10, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
3. "Senators turn to Elliott". Ottawa Senators. January 3, 2009. Archived from the original on January 12, 2009. Retrieved January 3, 2009.
4. "Oshie Named NHL Rookie of the Month". St. Louis Blues. April 1, 2009. Archived from the original on April 8, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
5. "Senators Acquire G Anderson from AVS for G Elliott". TSN. February 18, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
6. "Avalanche says goodbye to goaltender Brian Elliott". Denver Post. June 28, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
7. "Blues sign Goaltender Brian Elliot". The Sports Network. July 1, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
8. Blues, St. Louis. "Elliott Signs 3-Year Deal with Blues". St. Louis Blues. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
9. "Blues goalie Elliott to replace Blue Jackets' Bobrovsky". NHL. January 22, 2015. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
10. Hitchcock becomes fourth coach to win 700 games as Elliott ties Blues shutout record, March 13, 2015, retrieved March 13, 2015
11. "Blues leave no doubt in Game 7 rout of Stars". Stltoday. May 11, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
12. "Flames acquire goaltender Brian Elliott". Calgary Flames. June 24, 2016. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
13. "Flyers sign Goalie Brian Elliott to two-year deal". CSN Philly. July 1, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
14. "Kane leads 3 Stars of the Week". NHL.com. December 18, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
15. Paone, Greg (December 11, 2017). "Flyers goalie Brian Elliott named NHL's third star of the week". nbcsports.com. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
16. Woodley, Kevin (April 10, 2018). "Matt Murray vs. Brian Elliott". NHL.com. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
17. "Flyers re-sign G Brian Elliott to one-year extension". NHL.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
18. Pinkert, Chris (February 10, 2016). "Elliott's Dad Joins FSMW Camera Crew". NHL.com. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
19. Meltzer, Dan (December 9, 2017). "Meltzer: The Moose is Loose". NHL.com. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
20. Morreale, Mike G. (February 4, 2009). "Masks are a billboard to a goalie's soul". NHL.com Staff. NHL.com. Retrieved February 5, 2009.
21. Rosen, Dan (April 14, 2018). "Flyers stick with plan, respond in Game 2". NHL.com. Retrieved April 22, 2018. "We battled hard and 'Moose' played a great game," said Flyers captain Claude Giroux, referring to Elliott by his nickname
22. "Elliott Debuts New Cujo-Inspired Pads". blues.nhl.com. December 30, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
23. "NCAA Frozen Four Records" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 19, 2013.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Roberto Luongo Cory Schneider	Winner of the William M. Jennings Trophy (with Jaroslav Halák) 2011–12	Succeeded by Corey Crawford Ray Emery