Brian Eklund



Brian Eklund (born May 24, 1980 in Braintree, MA) was a professional ice hockey goalie in the NHL. He retired from pro hockey after the 2005-2006 season.

Playing career
After 4 seasons at Brown University, he signed a 2-year rookie contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL. 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 GAA and a .896 SV%. 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 in 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 1-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. Unfortunately, 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%.

Records, Awards, and Accolades

 * Brian was awarded a Stanley Cup Championship Ring as he was the Tampa Bay Lightning's 3rd goalie during the teams 2004 playoff push