Brian Elliott facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brian Elliott
Elliott with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2020
Born	(1985-04-09) April 9, 1985 (age 40) Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Caught	Left
Played for	Ottawa Senators Colorado Avalanche St. Louis Blues Calgary Flames Philadelphia Flyers Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL Draft	291st overall, 2003 Ottawa Senators
Playing career	2006–2023

Brian Elliott (born April 9, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played for 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). Brian was picked by the Ottawa Senators in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He was an NHL All-Star twice, in 2012 and 2015. Elliott played for several teams, including the Senators, Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Brian Elliott's Hockey Journey

Starting in Junior Hockey

Brian Elliott grew up in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. He started playing minor hockey there. He played for local teams like the Newmarket Redmen and York-Simcoe Express. In 2001, he was not chosen by an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team. The OHL is a major junior hockey league in Ontario. After playing well in another league, he joined the Ajax Axemen in 2002–03.

College Hockey at Wisconsin

After a great season with the Ajax Axemen, Brian was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in 2003. He was the second-to-last player picked in the entire draft. Many people did not expect him to make it to the NHL.

After being drafted, Brian played four seasons for the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He was a backup goalie for his first two years. Then, he became the main starting goalie in the 2005–06 season. He played so well that he was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award. This award goes to the best college hockey player. He helped the Badgers win the 2006 NCAA National Championship. After college, he signed with the American Hockey League (AHL)'s Binghamton Senators. This team was connected to the Ottawa Senators.

Playing as a Professional Goalie

Time with the Ottawa Senators

Elliott in goal during his time with Ottawa.

Brian was invited to the Ottawa Senators' training camp in 2007. He was sent to Binghamton first. But he was called back to Ottawa just four days later. This happened because the main goalie, Ray Emery, was recovering from surgery. On October 10, Brian played his first NHL game. He helped his team win against the Atlanta Thrashers.

In January 2009, Brian was called back to Ottawa again. He had been named the AHL's Goalie of the Month. He was playing very well in Binghamton. His strong play helped him become the starting goalie for the Canadian team in the 2009 AHL All-Star Game.

Brian made a big difference for the Senators. The team had been struggling with their goalies. Brian finished the season in Ottawa. He shared goalie duties with another player, Alex Auld. Brian's good performance meant that another goalie, Martin Gerber, was no longer needed by the team. Brian was also named the NHL's First Star of the Week in January 2010.

Moving to the Colorado Avalanche

In 2011, Brian was traded to the Colorado Avalanche. This was part of a plan by Ottawa to rebuild their team. He was traded for another goalie, Craig Anderson.

Brian did not have much success with the Avalanche. He won only two of his twelve games. After this, Colorado decided not to keep him. He became a free agent.

Success with the St. Louis Blues

Elliott playing for the Blues in 2014.

On July 1, 2011, Brian signed a one-year contract with the St. Louis Blues. He teamed up with another goalie, Jaroslav Halák. Together, they formed a very strong goalie team. Brian played much better with the Blues. He was chosen to play in the 2012 NHL All-Star Game in Ottawa.

In January 2012, Brian signed a new two-year contract with the Blues. He took over as the main goalie when Halák got hurt during the 2012 playoffs. Brian led the Blues to win their first playoff series against the San Jose Sharks. However, they lost in the next round to the Los Angeles Kings.

In May 2014, Brian signed another three-year contract to stay with the Blues. In January 2015, he was named to the 2015 NHL All-Star Game. He replaced another goalie who was injured.

Brian set a new record for the Blues in March 2015. He tied and then passed Jaroslav Halák for the most shutouts in the team's history. A shutout is when a goalie stops every shot and does not let the other team score any goals.

Brian had a great season in 2015–16. He became the starting goalie for the Blues in the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs. He helped the Blues win their first-round series against the Chicago Blackhawks. He made 31 saves in the final game of that series. The Blues then faced the Dallas Stars and won again in seven games. Brian helped lead the Blues to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2001.

Time with the Calgary Flames

In June 2016, Brian was traded from the Blues to the Calgary Flames. He won his first game as a Flame in October 2016. However, he had a tough start with the team. Another goalie, Chad Johnson, became the regular starter for a while. Brian later got his starting job back. In June 2017, the Flames decided not to keep him for the next season.

Playing for the Philadelphia Flyers

On July 1, 2017, Brian signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. During the 2017–18 season, he was named the third star of the week in December. He helped the Flyers win six games in a row after a long losing streak. Even though he missed some time due to injury, the Flyers made it to the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs. They lost in the first round to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Brian signed new one-year contracts with the Flyers in 2019 and 2020. On May 4, 2021, Brian played his 500th game in the NHL. He was the 77th goalie in NHL history to reach this milestone.

Joining the Tampa Bay Lightning

On July 28, 2021, Brian signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning. In December 2021, Brian and the Lightning's other main goalie, Andrei Vasilevskiy, had to follow the NHL's Covid rules. Brian was able to return on December 31. He played that night against the New York Rangers. The game went to a shootout, and the Rangers won.

After His Playing Career

Brian Elliott did not play during the 2023–24 NHL season. On June 17, 2024, he returned to the St. Louis Blues. He took on a new role as a goaltending scout and development coach. This marked the end of his career as a player.

Brian Elliott's Personal Life

When Brian was in high school at Newmarket High School, he helped his school's hockey team win a championship in 2000. He also went to high school with his future Blues teammate, B. J. Crombeen.

Brian's father, Bill, is a television director. He has worked on many Canadian TV shows. Brian lives in Wisconsin during the hockey off-season. He has one brother named Dan.

Brian learned how to make moose calls from a champion moose caller. He honored this person by having a moose painted on the back of his goalie mask. Because of this, his teammates often call him "Moose." Brian also had Casey Jones from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles painted on his mask.

During the 2015–16 NHL season, Brian started wearing all blue pads. This was a tribute to a former Blues goalie named Curtis Joseph. He also had his mask painted with the same design that Joseph used to wear.

Brian's wife, Amanda, was in the University of Wisconsin's Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). She later became an intelligence officer in the United States Air Force. Brian and Amanda have three sons.

Career Statistics

Awards and Achievements