"Blues goaltender Brian Elliott solicited pointers from teammates David Backes and Jason Arnott on what to expect on NHL All-Star weekend, but even that didn't prepare him for when he landed in Ottawa.

"Even having that, I got off the plane and got mobbed by autographs and pictures and cameras ... it's a little overwhelming," Elliott said Friday. "This is pretty cool, the top players in the league and the world are sitting around you."

Elliott returned to Ottawa, where he played three full seasons, with the No. 1 goals-against average (1.69) and top save percentage (.938) in the NHL. But even with that on his résumé, Elliott figured he might be the last goalie selected at Thursday's fantasy draft. Then in the seventh round, former Ottawa teammate Daniel Alfredsson plucked Elliott off the board.

"I just think his story is a great story," Alfredsson said. "I know he struggled with us last year, but to see him bounce back like this, I know how competitive he is and how hard he works, how much he prepares himself ... and he's really a good guy. I was really happy to be able to pick him for my team."

After struggling last season, Elliott was traded by the Senators to Colorado, where he finished the season and then signed with the Blues. Not knowing what his reception from fans would be like Thursday at All-Star draft, Elliott was pleasantly surprised.

"Getting a little cheer, I got a couple of texts from my brother and family and friends, and they were saying, 'That's pretty cool,'" Elliott said. "You sit back and realize that everybody is pulling for you. Nobody is really booing you ... unless you're a (Toronto) Maple Leaf. It's a great hockey city, and they appreciate everybody.""