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 a two-time NHL All-Star in 2012 and 2015. Elliott played for 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. He played minor hockey for local teams. Even though he was good, no team from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) picked him in 2001. He kept playing and joined the Ajax Axemen in 2002–03.

College Hockey at Wisconsin

After playing well for the Ajax Axemen, Brian was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in 2003. He was picked very late in the draft, 291st overall. Most people didn't expect him to make it to the NHL.

Brian then spent four years playing college hockey for the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He was a backup goalie for his first two years. But in the 2005–06 season, he became the main goalie. 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 his team 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

Ottawa Senators

Elliott playing goalie for Ottawa.

In 2007, Brian was invited to the Ottawa Senators' training camp. He was sent to Binghamton but was called back to Ottawa soon after. This was because their main goalie was hurt. On October 10, Brian played his first NHL game and won!

He later went back to Binghamton. But in January 2009, he was called back to Ottawa again. He had been named the AHL's Goalie of the Month. Brian quickly made a big difference for the Senators. The team had been struggling, especially with their goalies. Brian helped them improve. He shared goalie duties with another player, Alex Auld.

Brian was even nominated for the NHL's Rookie of the Month award in March 2009. He also earned "Star of the Week" honors in January 2010.

Colorado Avalanche

In 2011, Brian was traded to the Colorado Avalanche. This was part of a big change for the Ottawa team. However, Brian didn't play as well with the Avalanche. He won only two of his 12 games. Because of this, the Avalanche let him go as a free agent.

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. Here, his career really took off! He teamed up with goalie Jaroslav Halák. Brian had a great record, winning 23 games and having a very low GAA (goals allowed per game). He was chosen to play in the 2012 NHL All-Star Game.

In 2012, Brian signed a new two-year contract with the Blues. He helped the Blues win a playoff series against the San Jose Sharks. This was after their other goalie got hurt.

In 2014, Brian signed another three-year contract. In 2015, he was named to the 2015 NHL All-Star Game again. He also set a new record for the Blues with the most shutouts (games where he didn't let in any goals).

During the 2015–16 NHL season, Brian was the main goalie for the Blues in the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs. He helped them win against the defending champions, the Chicago Blackhawks. Then they beat the Dallas Stars. The Blues made it to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2001.

Calgary Flames

In 2016, Brian was traded to the Calgary Flames. He won his first game with them. But he had a tough start with the team. Another goalie, Chad Johnson, became the main starter for a while. Brian later got his starting job back. However, he did not return to the team for the next season.

Philadelphia Flyers

On July 1, 2017, Brian signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. During the 2017–18 NHL season, 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.

Brian re-signed with the Flyers in 2019 and again in 2020. On May 4, 2021, he played his 500th NHL game. This is a big milestone for a goalie!

Tampa Bay Lightning

On July 28, 2021, Brian signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He played for them as a backup goalie. In December 2021, he and the team's other main goalie had to follow NHL Covid rules. Brian was able to play on December 31, which was his third start of the season.

Life After Playing Hockey

After not playing in the 2023–24 NHL season, Brian Elliott returned to the St. Louis Blues. On June 17, 2024, he became a goaltending scout and development coach for them. This means his playing career has officially ended.

Brian's Personal Life

When Brian was in Newmarket High School, he led his school's hockey team to win the championship in 2000. He went to the same high school as his former Blues teammate, B. J. Crombeen.

Brian's dad, Bill, is a television director. He has worked on many Canadian TV shows. Brian lives in Wisconsin when he's not playing hockey. He also has a brother named Dan.

Brian was taught how to make moose calls by a champion moose caller. To honor him, Brian had a moose painted on the back of his goalie mask. Because of this, his teammates call him "Moose." He 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, Curtis Joseph. He also had his mask painted with a similar design to Joseph's.

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

Awards and Achievements

Images for kids

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  Elliott with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2020

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  Elliott playing goalie for Ottawa.

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  Elliott playing for the Blues in 2014.