Jordan Binnington (born July 11, 1993) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Jordan Binnington
Jordan Binnington with the Stanley Cup.jpg
Binnington with the Stanley Cup in 2019
Born (1993-07-11) July 11, 1993 (age 30)
Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 174 lb (79 kg; 12 st 6 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
NHL team St. Louis Blues
NHL Draft 88th overall, 2011
St. Louis Blues
Playing career 2016–present

Binnington was raised in Richmond Hill and Toronto.[1] He was drafted by the Blues in the third round, 88th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He spent seven seasons in the minor leagues, with a brief call-up to the NHL in 2014 as an emergency goaltender. Binnington played for Canada in the 2013 IIHF World U20 Championship.[2]

In December 2018, he was called up by the Blues and within a month became their starting goaltender. His play helped the team improve from last place in the league to winning the 2019 Stanley Cup championship. He is the first NHL rookie goaltender to earn 16 wins in a single postseason, the maximum amount possible (not including the 2020 postseason, which included play-in games that enabled a goaltender to record more than 16 wins).

Playing career edit

Junior edit

Binnington played major junior hockey for the Owen Sound Attack in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) from 2009 to 2013. Binnington had a very strong 2010–11 OHL season posting a 27–12–5 throughout 46 games. During the 2011 OHL Playoffs, Binnington led the Attack past the London Knights, the Plymouth Whalers, and the Windsor Spitfires to end up in the J. Ross Robertson Cup final versus the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors. The seven-game series was won by the Attack, with Jarrod Maidens scoring the series clinching goal in overtime. The Owen Sound Attack also competed in the 2011 Memorial Cup tournament as OHL champions.

Professional edit

St. Louis Blues edit

Ranked as the OHL's top 2011 NHL Entry Draft eligible goaltender (NHL Central Scouting Bureau's Final Rankings),[3][4] he was selected with the 88th overall pick in the third round by the St. Louis Blues. Binnington signed a three-year entry level contract with the Blues on May 29, 2012.[5] Playing one AHL game in 2011–12, he returned to Owen Sound for most of that season and also played with Owen Sound for 2012–13.

On November 26, 2014, Binnington was called up from the Kalamazoo Wings of the East Coast Hockey League, under emergency conditions, following the injury to Blues goaltender Brian Elliott.[6] On January 14, 2016, he made his in-game debut against the Carolina Hurricanes, coming in to relieve starter Elliott in a 4–1 loss.[7] On July 15, 2016, Binnington signed a one-year, two-way contract with the St. Louis Blues.[8]

With the Blues playing the 2017–18 season without an AHL affiliate, Binnington was reassigned on loan to the Providence Bruins on October 9, 2017.[9] He was not recalled to the NHL during the 2017–18 season, finishing with 17 wins in 28 games for the Bruins. He was named to the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic alongside teammate Austin Czarnik.[10]

 
Jordan Binnington at the 2018 AHL All-Star Game

During the off-season before the 2018–19 season, Binnington signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Blues on July 6, 2018.[11] Binnington was assigned to the St. Louis Blues AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, to begin the 2018–19 season.[12]

He was recalled by the Blues to the NHL on December 9, 2018.[13] The team had the worst record in the NHL on January 2. Five days later, Binnington made his first NHL start, making 25 saves in a 3–0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers[14] and becoming the 35th NHL goaltender to earn a shutout in his first start.[15] On February 11, Binnington was named the NHL First Star of the Week after going 3–0–0 to help the Blues to win six straight games and move into a Western Conference wild card spot.[16] He was named the NHL Rookie of the Month in February and March 2019.[17]

On April 4, 2019, a 7–3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers gave Binnington his 23rd win of the season, a record for a Blues rookie goaltender.[18]

On April 10, Binnington played his first NHL playoff game, stopping 25 of 26 shots against the Winnipeg Jets in a 2–1 victory.[19] On April 27, Binnington was announced as a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy.[20] After knocking out Winnipeg in six games, the Blues defeated the Dallas Stars in a seven-game conference semi-final series.

On May 19, 2019, Binnington became the first St. Louis Blues rookie goaltender to record a shutout in the Stanley Cup playoffs, a 5–0 win against the San Jose Sharks,[21] which gave the Blues a team-record 11 playoff victories.[22] The Blues defeated the Sharks in six games to advance to the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals where they met the Boston Bruins, the Eastern Conference champions. On June 12, the Blues defeated the Bruins in game seven to win the Stanley Cup, St. Louis' first in their 52-year franchise history. Binnington started every playoff game. With the Stanley Cup win, Binnington set an NHL record for most playoffs wins by a rookie goaltender in a single postseason, having won all 16 games needed to win the Stanley Cup.[23]

In his Day with the Cup on July 12, Binnington brought the Stanley Cup to his hometown of Richmond Hill.[24] The next day, the Blues re-signed Binnington to a two-year, $8.8 million contract extension.[25] The following 2019–20 season was shortened by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, prematurely ending a strong season for the Blues that saw them win the Central Division and finish first in the Western Conference. Binnington recorded a 30–13–7 record and a .912 save percentage.[26] The 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs were held later in the summer in a bubble environment in Canada. Binnington performed poorly in both the round robin phase and in the first round series against the Vancouver Canucks, losing all five of his starts and recording a .851 save percentage. Backup goaltender Jake Allen was noted for backstopping the team's only victories in the postseason.[27]

With the pandemic continuing, the NHL temporarily realigned its format for the 2020–21 season, with all teams playing exclusively in their own divisions for the regular season. The Blues finished fourth in the new West Division, with Binnington compiling an 18–14–8 recording and a .910 save percentage overall, finishing the season with a particularly strong stretch of games in April and an .921 save percentage.[28] Binnington's April success did not carry over into the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, where the Blues were swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round, with Binnington having only a .899 save percentage, his second consecutive sub-.900 in the postseason.[29]

On March 11, 2021, the Blues had re-signed Binnington to a six-year, $36 million contract extension.[30] With the division alignments and format returning to normal for the 2021–22 season, Binnington's struggles in net continued, and by the second half of the season he had been supplanted as the Blues' starting goaltender by Ville Husso.[31] With Husso a free agent at the end of the season and Binnington's lengthy and expensive contract on the books, this generated speculation about the future of team goaltending.[32] The Blues qualified for the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, entering the first round as underdogs against the Minnesota Wild, with Husso starting in net.[33] However, with the Blues down 2–1 in the series, Binnington reclaimed the net starting with Game 4 and lead the team on a three-game winning streak to clinch the series. These were Binnington's first postseason wins since the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals, and he finished the series with a .943 save percentage.[34][35] In the second round, the Blues entered another matchup against the Avalanche. Binnington's strong performances continued through the first two games, with the series tied 1–1 heading back to St. Louis. Midway through the first period of Game 3, Binnington was injured when Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri and Blues defenceman Calle Rosén crashed into him, and was forced to leave the game. With Husso returning to the net, the Blues lost. Blues coach Craig Berube, when asked about the incident, said only "look at Kadri's reputation. That's all I've got to say." Kadri denied that he had intended to injure Binnington by making the play.[36] Binnington was alleged by Kadri to have hurled a water bottle at him during an on camera interview after the game.[37] At the time of his departure, Binnington had stopped 167 of 176 shots faced over six games and a .949 save percentage.[38] The Blues later confirmed that Binnington would miss the remainder of the playoffs.[39]

On December 12, 2022, Binnington won his 100th game in a 1–0 shutout against the Nashville Predators, making him the sixth goaltender in franchise history to earn 100 victories with the club.[40]

On March 15, 2023, Binnington punched Minnesota Wild player Ryan Hartman following a goal. Binnington was ejected from the game,[41] and the NHL suspended him for two games following the incident.[42][43]

Personal life edit

In 2018 Binnington was criticized for past tweets that were considered to be racist and misogynistic. Binnington did not apologize and dismissed the tweets as "sarcastic".[44]

Career statistics edit

Regular season and playoffs edit

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L OTL MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2008–09 Toronto Dixie Beehives OJHL 1 0 1 0 59 3 0 3.04 .923
2009–10 Owen Sound Attack OHL 22 6 10 2 1,068 79 0 4.44 .888
2010–11 Owen Sound Attack OHL 46 27 12 5 2,596 132 1 3.05 .899 7 4 2 355 19 0 3.21 .894
2011–12 Owen Sound Attack OHL 39 21 17 1 2,304 115 1 2.99 .906 2 0 2 120 10 0 5.00 .863
2011–12 Peoria Rivermen AHL 1 0 1 0 60 3 0 3.02 .921
2012–13 Owen Sound Attack OHL 50 32 12 6 3,011 109 7 2.17 .932 12 6 6 705 33 0 2.81 .916
2013–14 Kalamazoo Wings ECHL 40 23 13 3 2,398 94 1 2.35 .922 3 1 1 223 7 0 1.89 .946
2013–14 Chicago Wolves AHL 1 1 0 0 65 3 0 2.78 .912
2014–15 Chicago Wolves AHL 45 25 15 4 2,555 100 3 2.35 .916 5 2 3 333 12 0 2.16 .938
2015–16 Chicago Wolves AHL 41 17 18 5 2,340 111 1 2.85 .907
2015–16 St. Louis Blues NHL 1 0 0 0 13 1 0 4.69 .750
2016–17 Chicago Wolves AHL 32 16 7 8 1,879 85 2 2.71 .911 2 0 0 65 2 0 1.86 .950
2017–18 Providence Bruins AHL 28 17 9 1 1,606 55 1 2.05 .926 3 1 1 137 10 0 4.39 .865
2018–19 San Antonio Rampage AHL 16 11 4 0 922 32 3 2.08 .927
2018–19 St. Louis Blues NHL 32 24 5 1 1,876 59 5 1.89 .927 26 16 10 1,560 64 1 2.46 .914
2019–20 St. Louis Blues NHL 50 30 13 7 2,848 126 3 2.56 .912 5 0 5 267 21 0 4.72 .851
2020–21 St. Louis Blues NHL 42 18 14 8 2,448 108 0 2.65 .910 4 0 4 234 14 0 3.59 .899
2021–22 St. Louis Blues NHL 37 18 14 4 2,145 112 2 3.13 .901 6 4 1 315 9 0 1.72 .949
2022–23 St. Louis Blues NHL 61 27 27 6 3,517 194 2 3.31 .894
NHL totals 223 117 73 26 12,946 600 12 2.78 .906 41 20 20 2,375 108 1 2.73 .910

International edit

Year Team Event Result GP W L OT MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2013 Canada WJC 4th 2 0 0 0 35 4 0 6.82 .871
Junior totals 2 0 0 0 35 4 0 6.82 .871

Awards and honours edit

Award Year Ref
OHL
Memorial Cup All-Star Team 2011 [45]
Dave Pinkney Trophy 2012–13
First Team All-Star 2012–13
Goaltender of the Year 2012–13 [46]
AHL
All-Star Game 2018 [10]
NHL
Rookie of the Month February 2019, March 2019 [17][47]
Stanley Cup champion 2019 [48]
All-Rookie Team 2019 [49]
NHL All-Star Game 2020

NHL record edit

  • Most wins in a single playoff season by a rookie goaltender, 16 (2018–19)

References edit

  1. ^ "Jordan Binnington NHL Entry Draft Prospect Profiles". National Hockey League. June 28, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  2. ^ "jordan Binnington player profile". hockeysfuture.com. January 29, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  3. ^ "Binnington Ranked #1 OHL Goalie". OurSportsCentral.com. June 21, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  4. ^ "NHL Releases Final Rankings For 2011 Draft". Colorado Avalanche. June 21, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  5. ^ "Blues Sign Jordan Binnington". NHL.com. May 29, 2012. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  6. ^ "With Elliott hurt, Blue make emergency recall". NBC Sports. November 26, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  7. ^ "Skinner has goal, assist to lift Hurricanes over Blues 4–1". ESPN. January 15, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  8. ^ Pinkert, Chris (July 15, 2016). "Binnington Agrees to Deal with Blues". NHL.com. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  9. ^ @MarkDivver (October 9, 2017). "St. Louis loans goalie Jordan Binnington to @AHLBruins. Expect Dan Vladar to be assigned to @atlgladiators" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. ^ a b "ROSTERS ANNOUNCED FOR 2018 AHL ALL-STAR CLASSIC". theahl.com. January 4, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  11. ^ "Blues sign goaltender Jordan Binnington to 2-way deal". sportsnet.ca. July 6, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  12. ^ "Blues assign 10 players to San Antonio Rampage". NHL.com. September 22, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  13. ^ "Blues recall Binnington from Rampage". NHL.com. December 9, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  14. ^ Kimelman, Adam (January 7, 2019). "Binnington makes 25 saves in first NHL start, Blues shut out Flyers". NHL.com. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  15. ^ Gulitti, Tom (January 15, 2019). "Binnington helping Blues after long wait for NHL chance". NHL.com. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  16. ^ "Binnington leads 3 Stars of the Week". NHL.com. February 11, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  17. ^ a b "Binnington named NHL Rookie of the Month for February". NHL.com. March 1, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  18. ^ Pinkert, Chris (April 4, 2019). "Binnington sets franchise record for rookie goalie wins". NHL.com. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  19. ^ Campbell, Tim (April 11, 2019). "Binnington calm, composed in first playoff start for Blues". NHL.com. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  20. ^ "Calder Trophy finalists unveiled". NHL.com. April 27, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  21. ^ @PR_NHL (May 19, 2019). "Jordan Binnington is the first rookie goaltender in @StLouisBlues history to record a shutout in the #StanleyCup Playoffs. #NHLStats" (Tweet). Retrieved January 23, 2024 – via Twitter.
  22. ^ Pinkert, Chris (May 19, 2019). "Binnington sets franchise record for wins in single postseason". NHL. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  23. ^ Teague, Matt (June 13, 2019). "Binnington sets rookie record with 16th playoff victory". theScore.com. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  24. ^ Pinkert, Chris. "Timeline: Binnington's Day with the Stanley Cup". St. Louis Blues. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
  25. ^ Pinkert, Chris. "Binnington avoids arbitration, agrees to two-year deal". St. Louis Blues. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  26. ^ "2020 Stanley Cup Playoff Preview: Canucks vs. Blues". Sportsnet. August 9, 2020. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  27. ^ Gretz, Adam (August 22, 2020). "Canucks chase Binnington, eliminate Blues with Game 6 win". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  28. ^ Luszczyszyn, Dom (May 14, 2021). "2021 NHL playoff preview: Avalanche vs. Blues". The Athletic. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  29. ^ "Avalanche sweep Blues, advance to second round of Stanley Cup Playoffs". Sportsnet. May 23, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  30. ^ "Binnington signs 6-year, $36 million extension with Blues". St. Louis Blues. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  31. ^ Rutherford, Jeremy (February 11, 2022). "With Jordan Binnington still struggling, it's time for the Blues to turn to Ville Husso". The Athletic. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  32. ^ Richardson, Lyle (April 12, 2022). "What will the St. Louis Blues do with Ville Husso?". The Hockey News. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  33. ^ Luszczyszyn, Dom; Goldman, Shayna (April 30, 2022). "2022 playoff preview: Blues vs. Wild". The Athletic. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  34. ^ "Blues advance to second round for first time since 2019, defeat Wild in 6 games". The Athletic. May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  35. ^ Rutherford, Jeremy (May 13, 2022). "Ten reasons the Blues beat the Wild, starting with vintage Jordan Binnington". The Athletic. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  36. ^ Wiebe, Ken (May 22, 2022). "Nasty on and off ice, Blues-Avalanche series picking up steam". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  37. ^ "Avalanche's Kadri thinks Binnington threw water bottle at him in TV interview". Sportsnet. May 21, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  38. ^ "Blues goalie Jordan Binnington could be out multiple weeks with knee injury: Sources". The Athletic. May 22, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  39. ^ "Blues' Binnington knocked out of Avalanche series with lower-body injury". CBC Sports. May 22, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  40. ^ Barczewski, Brett (December 12, 2022). "Binnington becomes sixth Blues goalie to record 100 wins". NHL.com. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  41. ^ "Goalie fight denied: Linesmen stop Blues' Binnington and Wild's Fleury from scrap". March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  42. ^ TSN ca Staff (March 16, 2023). "Blues' Binnington given two-game suspension". Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  43. ^ "Binnington suspended 2 games for actions in Blues game". NHL.com. March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  44. ^ Kives, Bartley. "Rookie St. Louis goalie phenom addresses old tweets about burkas, foreign-language taxi driver". CBC.
  45. ^ "Memorial Cup All-Star Teams". Memorial Cup. April 29, 2011. Archived from the original on January 7, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  46. ^ "Binnington named OHL's Goaltender of the Year". The Globe and Mail. April 1, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  47. ^ "Binnington named NHL Rookie of the Month for March". NHL.com. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  48. ^ "Blues win cup for first time, defeat Bruins in Game 7 of final". National Hockey League. June 12, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  49. ^ "NHL announces 2018-19 All-Rookie Team". National Hockey League. June 20, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.

External links edit