Jordan Win-nington: From fourth-stringer to household name

June 17, 2019 Off By Jordan Stoopler

Just a few short months ago, you would be hard-pressed to find many hockey fans familiar with the name Jordan Binnington.

How could you blame them?

As recently as December, he had been toiling in the minor leagues, making the long bus rides from one American Hockey League city to the next, in pursuit of his one veritable opportunity to finally earn his place in the NHL. The 25-year-old, drafted 88th overall by the Blues in 2011, was an afterthought in the hockey world, a fourth-stringer not on anybody’s radar.

Fast forward six months and Binnington is the talk of the town and arguably the saviour of what appeared destined to be a dismal Blues season. The goaltender has just won the Stanley Cup, becoming the first rookie netminder to record each of his team’s 16 wins en route to hoisting Lord Stanley’s chalice.

Jordan Binnington’s #StanleyCup run for the @StLouisBlues was exceptional:

✔ 1st rookie in NHL history to earn his team’s 16 wins en route to a Cup
✔ Tied NHL record for road wins in a single postseason
✔ Tied League record for wins after a loss in a playoff year#NHLStats pic.twitter.com/blbDYoXvCs

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 14, 2019

While Binnington may have been an overnight sensation in St. Louis, his journey to the top was a long one; a winding road featuring multiple pit stops, trials and tribulations.

His career began rather promisingly in the junior ranks. He spent four years tending goal for the Ontario Hockey League’s Owen Sound Attack, where he would win 86 games. The Richmond Hill, Ontario native starred in the 2011 OHL Playoffs, backstopping his squad to the Robertson Cup as top OHL team. His team did bow out in the tiebreaking round at the Memorial Cup tournament held in Mississauga. Binnington did, however, record a 5-0 shutout in his team’s opening contest against the WHL’s Kootenay Ice.

No stranger to big moments, @binnnasty won the OHL championship with the Owen Sound Attack in 2011 and later named Most Outstanding Goaltender at the Memorial Cup – weeks before @StLouisBlues took him in the 3rd round (87th overall) of the 2011 #NHLDraft. #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/lwLOyLmgbM

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 11, 2019

He capped off his stint in junior with Goaltender of the Year honours in 2012-2013.

Binnington had his eyes set on the National Hockey League. He signed the customary three-year entry level contract with the Blues in May 2012. However, it would be a long journey to get there.

He would start out over 400 miles away in Kalamazoo, Michigan, suiting up for the Wings of the East Coast Hockey League in 2013-2014. In 40 games, he compiled a 23-13-3 record, a 2.35 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage. Binnington was given a taste of the National Hockey League the next season, albeit from the end of the bench, after being called up to the Blues’ top affiliate following an injury to Blues starter Brian Elliott.

He spent much of the next three seasons with the Chicago Wolves, the Blues’ top affiliate in the American Hockey League. With the Wolves, Binnington went 58-40-17, collecting six shutouts along the way. Binnington led his team to the Calder Cup playoffs in 2015, although the Wolves bowed out in the first round. He did finally see 13 minutes of mop-up duty with the Blues on January 14, 2016 in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes, allowing one goal on just four total shots.

Binnington’s play in the minor leagues did little to convince the top brass of the Blues that he was NHL ready. He signed a one year- two-way contract on July 15, 2016 worth $600,000 at the NHL level. Although he never did see the NHL that year.

Another one year, two-way deal was signed ahead of the 2017-2018 season at $660,000 at the NHL level and $75,000 in the minors. With the arrival of the Vegas Golden Knights and acquisition of the Wolves as their minor-league affiliate, the Blues were left without a farm team. As a result, Binnington was loaned to the Providence Bruins, where he saw limited ice time. He went 17-9-1 in 28 games with Boston’s top team, playing mostly behind Boston prospect Zane McIntyre. He did, however, earn a spot at the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic.

Last summer, Binnington signed another one year, two-way deal good for $650,000 once in the NHL and $100,000 if he were in the minors. He would play out the start of the season in San Antonio with the Rampage, St Louis’ newly acquired AHL farm team. He began the year on a torrid pace, going 11-4 with a 2.08 GAA and .927 SV %, to go along with 3 shutouts.

While the Rampage may have been off to a strong start, the Blues were scuffling. After firing head coach Mike Yeo in November, the team hoped for an immediate spark from interim bench boss Craig Berube. However, lacklustre goaltending from Jake Allen and backup Chad Johnson (who would be waived) spiralled the Blues down the bottom of the NHL standings.

This opened the door for Binnington, who was called up to the NHL on December 9th, 2018. While he did get two more relief appearances before the new year, it was not until January 7th (a 25-save shutout by Binnington of the Philadelphia Flyers) that Binnington, and in turn, the Blues began their miraculous ride to the top.

He went 24-5-1 (a new best for a Blues rookie goaltender) the rest of the way, with a 1.89 GAA and .927 SV%. He also had five shutouts. This stretch also included a nine-game personal winning streak from January 23- February 19.

On Jan. 7, @binnnasty made his first NHL start with the @StLouisBlues.

On June 12 – 156 days later – he posted a 32-save performance and hoisted the #StanleyCup. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/uKBofAVUKu

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 14, 2019

The personal accolades naturally followed. He was named First Star of the Week in the NHL for the week ending February 10th and garnered Rookie of the Month honours for both February and March. He also earned a Calder Trophy nomination for Rookie of the Year, an award that will be presented Wednesday in Las Vegas.

The personal honours were of little concern to Binnington, who focused his attention on bringing the Blues to the promised land. He did just that, leading his team to victories over the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks and Boston Bruins to give St. Louis its first championship in its 52 years of existence. He never seemed fazed by tough losses or bad breaks, as he went 7-2 following a loss in the post-season.

While much of the off-season free agent chatter, at least amongst RFA’s, has been centred around Toronto’s Mitch Marner, Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen and Winnipeg’s Patrik Laine, there is a masked man who should also be a part of the conversation.

Binnington, who will turn 26 years old next month, is in line for a new (and lucrative) contract as a restricted free agent. It is safe to say it will not be a fourth straight one year, two-way deal at near league minimum salary. Blues GM Doug Armstrong has already indicated as much, saying “we’re looking forward to paying him.”

It’s safe to say Binnington is no longer an unknown. In fact, he has become quite popular amongst hockey fans. Collectors are clamoring for his top high-end rookie cards, with some even paying hundreds of dollars online to get their hands on his early trading cards.

Gone are the days of walking anonymously through city streets or taking long bus rides from one AHL city to the next. From here on out, despite his veiled persona and calm demeanor, Binnington have to accept his newfound fame, fortune and the life of an NHL goaltender.