Brian Elliott returns to Blues

Goalie, nicknamed 'Moose' who hasn't officially retired from NHL yet, to join franchise he tended goal for from 2011-16 as goaltending scout, development coach

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. --The 'Moose' is back.

No, Brian Elliott will not be donning the mask and pads again for the St. Louis Blues, but the former Blues goalie will be returning to the organization as a goaltending scout and development coach, general manager Doug Armstrong announced on Monday.

"He's going to work with our development staff, and he's also going to work with our amateur staff on scouting some future players," Armstrong said. "That was a two-man staff and we think we were just burning the wick at both ends on those guys too much.

"He'll be at development camp. That will be his rolling out party. Our vision is our NHL coach will work with our NHL goaltenders, and (goalie coach) David Alexander will oversee that department. Our American League coach will then work with any NHL goalie under contract. So in the East Coast League or the American League and 'Ells' will work with any drafted goalies that we don't have in development and then also help our amateur scouts via video and going out and watching some goalies to assess future drafts. So it's a combination job."

GM-in-waiting Alexander Steen, who will take over the duties on a full-time basis in 2026, reached out to Elliott, who was a teammate of Steen's with the Blues and played in St. Louis from 2011-16, setting the franchise record with 25 shutouts.

"It was a conversation. I think 'Steener' said he talked to 'Ells' and 'Ells' was looking to get back into it. I called him the next day and he was. I didn't know what he was doing. He was living in Madison, Wisconsin. He was raising his family and having a good time, but boredom sets in at that age at some point. I think he's excited about being back with the group. He does want to raise his family. When you're away that much at his age, it takes a toll on you. But also, getting away from the house every once in a while makes you appreciate what you have at home, let me put it that way."

Elliott last played in the NHL with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022-23 and was 12-8-2 with a 3.41 goals-against average and .891 save percentage.

For his career, Elliott was 279-167-54 in 543 regular-season games with a 2.57 GAA and .909 save percentage with the Blues, Ottawa Senators, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers and Lightning. He was recently in St. Louis as part of Kelly Chase's 'Puck Cancer' charity hockey game.