When the St. Louis Blues drafted Jake Allen 34th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, they knew he had skills that could benefit them in the long run.
Well, they were right.
After being drafted and signed to an ELC, he had been in the AHL, where in 2014, he was named one the league’s most outstanding goaltender. In a few call-up appearances and relief calls for St. Louis, he was impressive but the Blues had two capable goalies in Brian Elliott and Jaroslav Halak at the time, and left him to continue his development in the minors.
Now, however, this season, he is establishing himself as an NHL goaltender and a potential starter for the Blues, and he is not backing down.
Through the first part of the season he has been outstanding, putting up a .927 save mark and a 2.05 GAA so far. In a boxing day match-up against Dallas, a team averaging over three goals a game, he stopped 22 of 24 shots he faced and stood tall for the win. He has started 26 games for the Blues this season and his play is backstopping the Blues as they serve notice that they are a force to be reckoned with.
For the Blues, he is 17-8-2 on the season and playing to the level of some of the NHL’s most elite netminders. After growing up in New Jersey and starting off his hockey career as a skater, Allen’s transformation from second-round pick to NHL starting netminder has been a story to watch this season.
This Blues team that has been through a number of talented goaltenders in recent years, as they’ve tried Halak, Elliott and even Ryan Miller as their starter. But it is Allen who has finally established himself and been a hero for the team in the crease. Knowing his determination and the narrative in this underdog story, he has been sensational and shows no signs of slowing down now.
With the Blues competing for a playoff spot halfway through this season, this team needs someone like Allen to hold the fort. While the defence has provide depth on the team, the Blues need a goaltender that can backstop them confidently. They have found that in Allen.
