SAN ANTONIO – Goaltender Jordan Binnington started the 2018-19 hockey season with the San Antonio Rampage and ended the season as a Stanley Cup champion with the St. Louis Blues.
- Stanley Cup visited San Antonio in December 2018
- Jordan Binnington started on January 7 with St. Louis
- Became NHL Rookie of the Month twice
So, what happened in between?
The Stanley Cup and its keeper made an appearance in December 2018 at a San Antonio Rampage game, just a few weeks before Binnington was named the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the week ending January 6. He was the first Rampage player to win the accolade that season.
At the time, the Richmond Hills, Ontario native was 11-4-0 with the Rampage. His 2.08 goals-against average led the AHL and his .927 save percentage ranked second. His three shutouts were tied for third and he had won five consecutive AHL starts, the longest winning streak for a Rampage goaltender that season, as well as nine of his last ten outings.
"Jordan was able to get more ice time and more starts and with those starts he played outstanding for us and kind of got our team on a roll," Rampage Head Coach Drew Bannister said. "[St. Louis] started making some changes up there and it really opened up the door."
Binnington made his first start with the Blues on January 7.
St. Louis was at the bottom of the Western Conference, nine points away from a playoff spot.
During Binnington’s first start, he shutout the Philadelphia Flyers, stopping 25 of 25 shots in Philly.
He was named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month for February and March, only the second goaltender to win the award in consecutive months since 2006-07.
Bannister said playing great between the two leagues doesn't always translate, but Binnington was different.
"I think it's exciting for our organization down in San Antonio to see the success that he had and obviously we knew how well Jordan can play for us. Does that translate into the NHL always? No. But he's a very focused individual that wants to win hockey games and he's extremely competitive," Bannister said.
Binnington blasted through the season 24-5-1 with a 1.84 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage, even better numbers than what led him to the top of the AHL.
In April, the NHL announced that the 25-year-old rookie had been named a finalist for the Calder Trophy, awarded annually to the player "selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition." The winner will be announced June 19.
During the playoffs, Binnington went 7-2, following a loss.
Bannister said the fact people tend to speak on Binnington's ability to bounce back from a loss proves how competitive he is.
Binnington also managed to bounce back from a rough start in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, making 21 saves in the Game 2 overtime victory, which tied the best-of-seven series against the Boston Bruins at 1-1.
“Life of a goaltender,” Binnington said. “Just keep moving forward and regroup, just try to be there and give your team a chance to win. I keep that mindset.”
In Game 7, the rookie played what Coach Graig Berube call his best game of the series, stopping 32 shots and leading the St. Louis Blues to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
“It’s really cool,” Binnington said. “I understand it’s a good story. But I’m going to appreciate it later.”
Binnington was surrounded by several other teammates from San Antonio on the ice that night, a scene the franchise was proud to see.
"To be able to see all those guys raise the Stanley Cup, it's a pretty cool experience." Bannister said. "These individuals were able to accomplish their dreams."
It was a long way up for the 25-year-old, after being drafted in the third round of the 2011 NHL Draft by St. Louis. He jumped between several minor league teams before earning a solid spot with the Blues.
"There was belief in the organization that he could be that goalie. Sometimes it takes goalies a little longer to develop but Jordan always had that belief in himself and he never quit." Bannister said.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.