Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Eller scores goal while making his NHL debut

He's the sixth player from Denmark to play in league

ST. LOUIS -- The only better script for Lars Eller's NHL debut Thursday would have included a St. Louis Blues victory.

Eller became the 12th player in Blues history to score a goal in his first game -- and his was big enough that reverberations may have reached his native Denmark since it ended the Blues' scoreless streak at 168 minutes, 7 seconds.

Eller deflected in a shot from Erik Johnson during a Blues power play in the third period to tie the game 1-1. The Blues eventually lost 2-1 in overtime to the Calgary Flames, but Eller left a strong impression.

"It's hard to get excited because we lost," said Eller, a 20-year-old forward who was one of three Blues' first-round draft picks in 2007. "Of course I'm happy about the goal, but it could have ended a better way.

"At least we got one point. I don't know if I'm even here tomorrow, but if I am I think I can step up my play."

Eller played 9 minutes, 42 seconds covering 18 shifts, taking three shots.

He became the sixth player in the history of his country to play in the NHL. There are two in the league this season, 2008 first-round pick Mikkel Boedker, of the Phoenix Coyotes, and Vancouver's Jannik Hansen, who is out with a hand injury.

"He brings some energy," Blues coach Andy Murray said. "He's got a smile on his face and he's excited to play in the NHL. I don't care if you're a Dane, a Canadian, an American or where you come from.

"It's a pretty exciting time for him."

Eller grew up wearing No. 16, but that one's off limits and hanging from the Scottrade Center rafters after being retired in honor of Blues Hall of Fame scoring legend Brett Hull.

Eller went with the reverse and chose No. 61 instead. He received a nice round of applause when he took the ice for his first shift early in the first period.

Eller played left wing on a line with center Patrik Berglund and right winger T.J. Oshie.

"We need him to use his speed, he's an aggressive player," Murray said. "He's shown he can play physical in Peoria. He needs to go out and have fun, it's an exciting time.

"You're kind of thrilled as coach when you see the excitement in the eyes of a young player getting his first opportunity."

This is Eller's first season in North America after playing the last two seasons in the Swedish Elite League. He began this season in the minors with the Peoria Rivermen and got to make the three-hour trip south Wednesday after being promoted.

Eller admitted nerves were getting to him early.

"In the first half of the game I played really simple, tried not to make any mistakes," said Eller, who had three goals and 11 points in 11 games with Peoria. "It got better as it went on and I got more comfortable."

Eller also spent most of the summer with the team's other young prospects, working out as he recovered from shoulder surgery last spring.

Then he missed out on the preseason games after contracting mononucleosis.

"It was good for me just to get familiar with how everything works over here," he said. "Even though I didn't get to practice with the team or play an exhibition game in camp, just being over here a lot also made the transition smoother."

Backes hits the Big Apple

USA Hockey asked the Blues to allow forward David Backes to help represent the team Wednesday during a variety of media events in New York City tied to the upcoming Winter Olympics.

Backes did numerous interviews, including one with Popular Mechanics and another with the NHL Network, and was featured during a segment on NBC's Today Show.

"It was a packed day," said Backes, who was shown trying to help Today show co-host Meredith Vieira learn how to shoot pucks.

"There was a few texts and e-mails last night giving me grief, and it's all in good fun."

Backes is off to a slow start offensively with one goal in the first 12 games, but the former 30-goal scorer has plenty of time to heat up before the team is formally announced Jan. 1.

He hopes taking part in the media sessions at least keep his name in the mix.

"Fingers crossed, yeah," Backes said. "I'm hoping to associate my face with the team so they can't unassociate it. It was an honor to be chosen to go there and repent USA Hockey as a hopeful, (so) hopefully we can remove that 'hopeful' tag January 1."

Blues to honor Davidson

Blues President John Davidson, scheduled to receive the NHL's Foster Hewitt Award Monday during the Hockey Hall of Fame ceremonies, will be honored by the Blues before their Nov. 14 game against San Jose.

Contact reporter Norm Sanders at nsanders@bnd.com or 239-2454.