Brian Eklund
Encyclopedia
Brian Eklund is a retired American professional ice hockey
goaltender
who played in one National Hockey League
(NHL) game with the Tampa Bay Lightning
during the 2005–06 season. He currently runs his own goalie school, Massachusetts Crease Goaltending School, as well as being an assistant and goalie coach for the Brown Bears men's ice hockey
team.
, he signed a two-year rookie contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning
. He was then assigned by the Lightning to the Pensacola Ice Pilots
of the ECHL
. In his first season with the Ice Pilots (02–03), he was the back up to Maxime Gingras. He played in 19 games and posted a 10–6–0 record with a 3.66 goals against average and a .896 save percentage. When the Ice Pilots concluded their season after being eliminated in the playoffs, he was called up to the Springfield Falcons
of the AHL
. He appeared in one game allowing only one goal and getting the win.
In the 03–04 campaign, Gingras did not return to Pensacola leaving the #1 goalie slot open for contest. Brian battled fellow Lightning prospect Evgeny Konstantinov
for the #1 slot. He easily won the job. He appeared in all but 10 of the Ice Pilots 72 regular season games. This feat ranks second overall in the ECHL for games played in a season. As the top goalie, he shone even though the team lacked defense at times. He finished the season with a 38–17–7 record with a 3.01 GAA and a .921 SV%.
In 04–05, Eklund spent the whole season with the Falcons, after signing a new one-year deal with the Lightning. He played 43 games going 14–23–0 with a 3.01 GAA and a .911 SV%. The team struggled that year notching only 24 wins in 80 games for a record of 24–53–3. Despite the teams struggles Brian was named team MVP.
In 05–06, Brian was the back up goalie behind both Jonathan Boutin
and Gerald Coleman
at different times of the season. He also played two games for the Johnstown Chiefs
of the ECHL. This was, however the season he was called up to the NHL to play his first and only NHL game. He allowed 3 goals and made 16 saves in 58 minutes of play. However, he lost the game. He was traded to the Boston Bruins
of the NHL who then assigned him to their AHL team, the Providence Bruins
where he played 12 games going 3–6–1 with a 3.52 GAA and a .870 SV%.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
who played in one National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) game with the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
during the 2005–06 season. He currently runs his own goalie school, Massachusetts Crease Goaltending School, as well as being an assistant and goalie coach for the Brown Bears men's ice hockey
Brown Bears men's ice hockey
The Brown Bears men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Brown University. The Bears are a member of ECAC Hockey. They play at the Meehan Auditorium in Providence, Rhode Island.-External links:*...
team.
Playing career
After four seasons at Brown UniversityBrown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
, he signed a two-year rookie contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
. He was then assigned by the Lightning to the Pensacola Ice Pilots
Pensacola Ice Pilots
The Pensacola Ice Pilots were a minor league ice hockey team located in Pensacola, Florida. The team was previously affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders , and the Chicago Blackhawks. They have also had a working agreement with the Houston Aeros of the...
of the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
. In his first season with the Ice Pilots (02–03), he was the back up to Maxime Gingras. He played in 19 games and posted a 10–6–0 record with a 3.66 goals against average and a .896 save percentage. When the Ice Pilots concluded their season after being eliminated in the playoffs, he was called up to the Springfield Falcons
Springfield Falcons
The Springfield Falcons are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Springfield, Massachusetts, at the MassMutual Center and are the top affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. The Falcons' two main rivals are the Connecticut Whale and the...
of the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
. He appeared in one game allowing only one goal and getting the win.
In the 03–04 campaign, Gingras did not return to Pensacola leaving the #1 goalie slot open for contest. Brian battled fellow Lightning prospect Evgeny Konstantinov
Evgeny Konstantinov
Evgeny Valerievich Konstantinov is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender. He currently plays for MVD Balashikha in the Kontinental Hockey League....
for the #1 slot. He easily won the job. He appeared in all but 10 of the Ice Pilots 72 regular season games. This feat ranks second overall in the ECHL for games played in a season. As the top goalie, he shone even though the team lacked defense at times. He finished the season with a 38–17–7 record with a 3.01 GAA and a .921 SV%.
In 04–05, Eklund spent the whole season with the Falcons, after signing a new one-year deal with the Lightning. He played 43 games going 14–23–0 with a 3.01 GAA and a .911 SV%. The team struggled that year notching only 24 wins in 80 games for a record of 24–53–3. Despite the teams struggles Brian was named team MVP.
In 05–06, Brian was the back up goalie behind both Jonathan Boutin
Jonathan Boutin
Jonathan Boutin is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He was drafted in the third round, 96th overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.-QMJHL:...
and Gerald Coleman
Gerald Coleman
Gerald Coleman is a professional ice hockey goaltender who plays for the Alaska Aces of the ECHL.-Playing career:Coleman was drafted 224th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft...
at different times of the season. He also played two games for the Johnstown Chiefs
Johnstown Chiefs
The Johnstown Chiefs were a minor league ice hockey team located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania that played in the ECHL. The team was founded in 1988 in the All-American Hockey League, and moved to the East Coast Hockey League when that league was formed...
of the ECHL. This was, however the season he was called up to the NHL to play his first and only NHL game. He allowed 3 goals and made 16 saves in 58 minutes of play. However, he lost the game. He was traded to the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
of the NHL who then assigned him to their AHL team, the Providence Bruins
Providence Bruins
The Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the primary development team for the NHL's Boston Bruins. They play in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.-History:...
where he played 12 games going 3–6–1 with a 3.52 GAA and a .870 SV%.
Post Playing Days
Eklund is currently the director of Newton Youth Hockey's Goaltending Focus with Brian Eklund. His real job is not just NYH'S Goaltending Focus, as he has now started his own goaltending school, and he works with goalies at many different youth organizations around the state of Massachusetts. The name of the goalie school is Massachusetts Crease Goalie School (www.MassCrease.com). Some of the organizations that he currently works with are: Natick Youth, Newton Youth, NECDL, St Moritz Devils, King Philip Walpole, Boston Advantage, Weymouth Youth, Hingham Youth, West Bay Islanders, and the Coastal Stars organization. He is also an assistant coach for his alma mater, Brown University.Records, Awards, and Accolades
- Brian was awarded a Stanley Cup Championship Ring as he was the Tampa Bay LightningTampa Bay LightningThe Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
's 3rd goalie during the teams 2004 playoff push - Brian set the following ECHL records:
- Minutes played in one season (3,724)
- Saves in one season (2,194)
- Most saves in playoff game (83) (2–1 2OT loss to Louisiana)
- Brian tied the following records:
- matching the record for wins in a season (38)
External links
- MassCrease.com A Massachusetts based goaltending school taught by former NHL goalie Brian Eklund
- "Brian Eklund: Eks Files"; A fan site