Blues sign Elliott to two-year extension

The St. Louis Blues signed All-Star goalie Brian Elliott to a two-year, $3.6 million contract extension on Wednesday. The deal will pay the 26-year-old Elliott $1.7 million next season and $1.9 million in 2013-14. He signed a two-way contract this season and is making $600,000. ''He's the perfect example of perseverance,'' coach Ken Hitchcock said. ''He just had to become more compact in his game, and he's done that, he's done it beautifully. ''He's resurrected a career based on being able to look in the mirror and not feel sorry for himself, and make adjustments.'' Elliott is 15-5-1 with five shutouts, and a 1.68 goals-against average that is second-best in the NHL. He entered training camp battling for a backup job behind Jaroslav Halak, but capitalized on Halak's slow start by winning his first four starts. They are now splitting playing time. Elliott and Halak have combined for a 1.98 goals-against average, tied for the best in the NHL, and the duo leads the league with eight shutouts. Elliott is 9-1-1 at home. ''The situation he was in last summer, wondering where he was going to play and finding a good home here and doing his job on the ice, I think it's a great story,'' general manager Doug Armstrong said. ''Now he can settle in and take his career to the next level.''