Brian Elliott Swatch Card

Despite having featured him last September, I feel Brian Elliott deserved an extra spot this weekend for showing up for duty at the All-Star Game despite getting the call when he was already on vacation, first as a news item, then his wife's Twitter post to see just where it was they were leaving from:

Brian Elliott left Turks and Caicos to play in the NHL All-Star Game because that's how much it means to him to be added. Stick tap, sir.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) January 23, 2015

The whole week, we were hearing left and right about players bowing out to take the week off, exaggerating their injuries to avoid the hassle of interacting with fans and sponsors all weekend, in Columbus of all places (not exactly the hot spot for partying with the boys or the wife to go shopping in, if we're going to stick with the hockey clichés), so it was great to see a feel-good vibe coming from some of these guys, particularly Elliott, in his second appearance, and also Carey Price, who despite being a fixture at the event, took it to heart as well, wearing full suits to speak with the press when his peers were in exercise garbs.

Alexander Ovechkin was also having a blast, as were the representatives of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Chicago Blackhawks (even Captain Serious, Jonathan Toews). I won't pretend to have watched the event, but I read enough about it to have a pretty good idea what went on the whole weekend.

I remember I used to love the All-Star Games in the late 1980s and early 1990s, as a kid, with Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Patrick Roy, Joe Sakic, Brett Hull and the rest. Apparently, some of these current guys too, and their sharing their enthusiasm is a key component in making these events successful. Mind you, the seasons are longer than ever, and with Olympics and World Cups thrown in here and there, we just keep asking more and more of the elite among them, so it's nice to see those who are happy to be there having a blast.

So, once again, kudos, Mr. Elliott, for putting work before leisure time - and to your wife for coming along and leaving the gorgeous beach and weather to come back to winter time in North America with you.

In tribute, here is a bonus post this weekend, from Panini's 2013-14 Totally Certified collection, card #TC-BE of the Red ''regular'' Jersey sub-set, featuring a game-worn dark blue swatch from a St. Louis Blues uniform:

It probably doesn't come from the white (away) uniform he's pictured in, though; it's more likely to be from the blue (home) uniform.