Senators reward Elliott for fine rookie season, give goalie 2-year deal

Senators sign goalie Brian Elliott to 2-year deal

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators are rewarding goalie Brian Elliott for his fine rookie season by giving him a two-year contract.

The deal that will pay Elliott $800,000 next season and $900,000 in the 2010-11 campaign was announced by the Senators on Tuesday.

Elliott, 24, played in 31 games with Ottawa last season, going 16-8-3 with a 2.77 goals-against-average and a .902 save percentage. He set a franchise record for a rookie goalie when he won eight consecutive games from March 5-21, and earned his first NHL shutout on March 29 by making 20 saves in a 3-0 win at Tampa Bay.

Elliott also played in 30 games last season with the AHL’s Binghamton Senators, posting an 18-8-1 record with two shutouts, a 2.31 GAA and a .926 save percentage.