Brian Elliott

Growing up in Newmarket, Ontario, Brian Elliott moved from local minor clubs to the Ajax Axemen in Junior A after an overlooked OHL draft year; a strong season with Ajax put him into the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Picked 291st overall by Ottawa, he was one of the late selections who would nevertheless find his way to the professional ranks. Elliott spent four seasons at the University of Wisconsin–Madison after the draft, beginning as a backup and becoming the Badgers' starter in 2005–06. That season he posted eight shutouts in 33 appearances, helped Wisconsin win the 2006 NCAA championship and was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. Ottawa signed him to begin his pro career in March 2007 and he joined the Binghamton Senators in the AHL before earning NHL recalls. He made his NHL debut on October 10, 2007, winning his first game against Atlanta, and spent several seasons moving between Binghamton and Ottawa. A standout month in the AHL and an appearance in the AHL All‑Star Game raised his profile; Ottawa made him part of its goaltending mix until trading him to the Colorado Avalanche on February 18, 2011, in exchange for Craig Anderson. Colorado declined his qualifying offer and he entered free agency. A pivotal turn came when he signed with the St. Louis Blues on July 1, 2011. Paired with Jaroslav Halák, Elliott posted a 23–10–4 record and a 1.56 GAA in 2011–12 and was selected to the 2012 NHL All‑Star Game. He signed multiple extensions in St. Louis, set the franchise record for shutouts in March 2015 and took over the starting role in the 2016 playoffs, backstopping the Blues through two seven‑game series to reach the Western Conference Finals. Later stops included a trade to Calgary on June 24, 2016, a two‑year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers beginning July 1, 2017, and a one‑year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 28, 2021. Elliott reached his 500th NHL game on May 4, 2021. He concluded his playing career when he rejoined the Blues organization as a goaltending scout and development coach on June 17, 2024. On the ice, Elliott's résumé shows low goals‑against numbers, multiple shutouts and the ability to share duties effectively while stepping into a team's starting role when required.