’KEEPER OF THE FLAMES
Elliott’s character key to trade
Having played in hockey-mad markets before, Brian Elliott is familiar with his audience. He also knows how to speak in terms they understand.
Like, for example, when the new Calgary Flames netminder informed the local media on Wednesday that he and his wife, Amanda, are expecting their first child.
“We have a little cowboy on the way,” Elliott said to chuckles on Wednesday at the Scotiabank Saddledome as the former St. Louis Blues goalie was introduced to the media.
Contrary to popular belief, not every Calgarian wears a Stetson and rides a horse to work (although a few weeks ago during the Calgary Stampede, that wouldn’t have been the case).
The point is, the man gets it. He understands why the Flames traded for him at last month’s National Hockey League draft; why Brad Treliving chose him as the man to improve their goals against average and, hopefully, lead the club back to the Promised Land of playoffs.
As a veteran of 323 regular season National Hockey League games and 37 playoff games — 18 of which were played this past spring — he knows what’s required to get them there.
And, most importantly, he understands that Flames fans in this city are, politely speaking, frustrated with the quality of goaltending that was produced in 2015-16.
“It’s a fickle position,” said Elliott, a former winner of the William Jennings Trophy. “The first thing you want to do is put everything out on the ice and do your best. That’s all the fans want, in the end. But it’s really — not to put you guys (media) down — don’t pick up a newspaper ... you just have to trust your game and your teammates. I’ve learned to kind of put everything on the back burner and just play.
“The NHL season is long and there are a lot of ups and downs ... it’s about how you handle those situations.”
With one more year remaining on his (affordable) $2.5-million contract, Elliott entered the offseason not knowing for certain if a trade would happen.
But when Treliving called him while Elliott was on vacation in Croatia with his wife, he happily received the news.
Meanwhile, the Flames brass — who officially met the netminder over dinner on Tuesday — were over the moon.
“The numbers speak for themselves,” said Treliving. “But a big part of us going out and getting Brian was the person. The homework we did ... we talked with players that have played with him, coaches that have had him ... the work ethic, the type of person he is in the lockerroom, the teammate, stood out as much as the goaltender. “We’re excited to have him.” Last season, Elliott, who is nicknamed ‘Moose’ for his ability to deliver a moose hunting call, finished second in the NHL in goals-against average (2.07 shared with Anaheim’s John Gibson) and second in save percentage (0.930) to go along with a 23-8-6 regular season record. He was the backbone of the Blues in the playoffs, backstopping them to nine wins. So, his numbers are sensational. But what should excite Calgary’s fan base outside of his numbers is that Elliott is experienced. At 31, he’s seen a few things. On Wednesday, he compared his situation to that of Tim Thomas, who finally emerged as the Bruins’ starting netminder at age 32 and went onto win the Vezina Trophy (twice), a Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Last year, he was seen both as a No. 1 and a No. 1A goalie in competition with Jake Allen, the Blues’ heir apparent. But he also managed to maintain a working relationship with Allen, a situation he hopes to create with Chad Johnson, one of Calgary’s free-agent signings.
“With Jake, I saw my younger self in him,” Elliott said. “He was trying to break into the league and trying to make a name for himself and play. We got along really well. I also had the opportunity to play with a couple of older guys who treated me well, so I wanted to pay back when I was in that position ... But you don’t make it to this level without treating every practice and every workout and every game like you’re a No. 1 goaltender.
“You’re selling yourself short if you go out there and want to just be a backup.”
A big part of us going out and getting Brian was the person. ... the work ethic, the type of person he is in the locker-room.