Brian Elliott
Two-time NHL All-Star goaltender who played 16 NHL seasons.
Brian Elliott, born April 9, 1985, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who spent parts of 16 seasons in the NHL. Selected by the Ottawa Senators with the 291st overall pick in the ninth round of the 2003 draft—the second-last player chosen that year—he was not expected to make the league. He went on to become a two-time NHL All-Star (2012, 2015) and played for the Senators, Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Growing up in Newmarket, Ontario, Elliott played minor hockey for the Newmarket Redmen AA and York-Simcoe Express AAA teams. Undrafted by an Ontario Hockey League team in 2001, he spent the next season in Major Midget with York-Simcoe. After a strong year in the Eastern AAA Hockey League, he joined the Ajax Axemen of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League for the 2002–03 season.
Following his standout junior season, Elliott was drafted by Ottawa. He then spent four years at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, serving as a backup for his first two seasons before becoming the starter in 2005–06. That year, he was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, recorded eight shutouts in 33 appearances, and led the Badgers to the 2006 NCAA National Championship. On March 23, 2007, he signed with the AHL’s Binghamton Senators, Ottawa’s affiliate, and played eight games for them late in the 2006–07 season.
Invited to Ottawa’s 2007–08 training camp, Elliott was assigned to Binghamton on September 25, 2007. Four days later, he was recalled to back up Martin Gerber while starter Ray Emery recovered from wrist surgery. On October 10, Elliott made his NHL debut and earned a win against the Atlanta Thrashers. After Emery returned, he was sent back to Binghamton, where he played 44 games that season.
On January 9, 2009, Elliott was recalled after being named AHL Goalie of the Month for December. He had posted an 18–8–1 record with a 2.31 goals-against average and .926 save percentage in Binghamton, earning the starting spot for the Canadian team in the 2009 AHL All-Star Game. In Ottawa, he made an immediate impact, sharing duties with Alex Auld for the rest of the season. His strong play made Martin Gerber expendable, and Gerber was later claimed on waivers by Toronto. Elliott was nominated for NHL Rookie of the Month in March 2009 but lost to T. J. Oshie.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Goaltender
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 2
- Weight Lb
- 198
- Birth Date
- 1985-04-09
- Birth Place
- Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
- Career Start
- 2006
- Career End
- 2023
- Catches
- Left
- Played For
- Ottawa Senators / Colorado Avalanche / St. Louis Blues / Calgary Flames / Philadelphia Flyers / Tampa Bay Lightning
- League
- NHL
- Draft
- 291st overall
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Elliott grew up in Newmarket, Ontario, playing minor hockey for the Newmarket Redmen AA and York-Simcoe Express AAA teams. He was not drafted by an Ontario Hockey League team in 2001 and later played for the Ajax Axemen of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League. After being drafted 291st overall—the second-last pick—he spent four seasons at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he became the starting goaltender in 2005–06, was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, and led the Badgers to the 2006 NCAA National Championship. He began his professional career with the AHL's Binghamton Senators. Elliott's NHL debut came with Ottawa on October 10, 2007, earning a win against the Atlanta Thrashers. He was traded to Colorado in 2011 but struggled, then revitalized his career with St. Louis, forming a tandem with Jaroslav Halák and setting the Blues' franchise record for shutouts. He was traded to Calgary in 2016 but struggled early and was not re-signed. He later played for Philadelphia and Tampa Bay, playing his 500th NHL game on May 4, 2021. After the 2023–24 season unsigned, he returned to the Blues as a goaltending scout and development coach on June 17, 2024.
Reader's Guide
Brian Elliott's career is notable for its arc from a ninth-round draft pick—the second-last selection in 2003—to a two-time NHL All-Star and a goaltender who played 500 NHL games. His time with the St. Louis Blues was the peak of his career: he posted a 1.56 GAA in 2011–12, was named to the 2012 All-Star Game, and later set the Blues' franchise shutout record. He led the Blues to the Western Conference Finals in 2016, starting all but two playoff games. His tenure with the Calgary Flames was brief and difficult; he started 3–9–1 with a 3.31 GAA and .885 save percentage before being told he would not return. Elliott's resilience is reflected in his ability to rebound from early struggles in Ottawa and Colorado to become a reliable starter in St. Louis, and later to reach the 500-game milestone. His post-playing career as a goaltending scout and development coach for the Blues underscores his lasting connection to the organization where he achieved his greatest success.
Did You Know?
- Elliott was drafted 291st overall, the second-last pick of the 2003 NHL entry draft.
- He was a finalist for the 2005–06 Hobey Baker Memorial Award after recording eight shutouts in 33 games.
- Elliott set the St. Louis Blues' franchise record for shutouts on March 17, 2015.
- He played his 500th NHL game on May 4, 2021, becoming the 77th goaltender to do so.
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