The Brian Elliott story added another incredible chapter Thursday, one that will add drama to the 2012 NHL All-Star Game.
Elliott was selected as the Blues' lone representative to the Jan. 29th game in Ottawa, which means the goaltender will be returning to the city where he started his career before being unceremoniously traded to Colorado last season. The Avalanche became the second team to give up on Elliott, releasing him in the summer.
The Blues were looking for a backup goaltender, and with few options Elliott signed a one-year, two-way contract for $600,000 in the NHL and $105,000 in the American Hockey League.
The deal has been the bargain of the league this season, as Elliott carried a record of 15-5 into Thursday's game against Vancouver. He also had a 1.62 goals-against average, a .940 save-percentage and five shutouts, all of which ranked second in the league.
"Brian has been a key player for this team and he deserves this honor," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said in a statement. "He's a true professional and the St. Louis Blues are proud to have him represent the organization at this year's All-Star Game."
FIGHTING MAJORS DOWN
It was a rare night for the Blues on Thursday at Scottrade Center, as the club dropped the gloves twice against Vancouver. Defenseman Roman Polak and forward B.J. Crombeen tangled with the Canucks' Maxim Lapierre and Dale Weise, respectively.
The Blues ranked No. 1 in the NHL in fighting majors last season with 78, but they were 18th in the league with 15 majors before Thursday's games.
The number of fighting majors in the NHL is down 25 percent this season, according to a report in USA Today. There were 519 majors through the first 41 games this season, compared to 697 last season.
"I think the one-dimensional players who fill this particular role are less involved in the game," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong told USA Today.
JACKMAN, STEEN UPDATES
Both Barret Jackman (hip) and Alex Steen (concussion) skated Thursday morning, but neither played against the Canucks.
Jackman was injured in the second period of Tuesday's 3-0 win over Montreal when he was hit by the Canadiens' P.K. Subban and crashed awkwardly into the boards. He skated before the team took the ice for the morning skate but quickly exited.
Steen participated in the morning skate, but elected not to play, missing his seventh consecutive game. By skipping Thursday's game, Steen will be afforded a full practice with the club today before rejoining the lineup.
"(Jackman) will play Saturday probably," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "Same thing with Steen. He feels OK, but he wants to have a full practice with us, so he'll play again Saturday. It'll be good to get those guys back on the weekend."
BLUENOTES
Former Blues captain Wayne Gretzky attended Thursday's game at Scottrade Center. ... The Blues honored public-address announcer Tom Calhoun, who was celebrating his 25th anniversary with the club. He has not missed a game, working 1,124 consecutive. ... Chris Porter was the Blues' lone healthy scratch against the Canucks.
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