Jake Allen (ice hockey)

Jake Allen
Allen with the St. Louis Blues in 2019
Born	(1990-08-07) August 7, 1990 (age 33) Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	203 lb (92 kg; 14 st 7 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Catches	Left
NHL team Former teams	New Jersey Devils St. Louis Blues Montreal Canadiens
NHL Draft	34th overall, 2008 St. Louis Blues
Playing career	2010–present

Jake Allen (born August 7, 1990) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 34th overall, by the St. Louis Blues in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and won the Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019. Allen has also previously played for the Montreal Canadiens.

Early life

Allen was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, the son of Kurt and Susan Allen. ^[1]

Playing career

Amateur

Allen played for the Midget "AAA" Canadiens under Kevin Pottle, before being drafted in the third round of the QMJHL draft to the St. John's Fog Devils. After one season with the Fog Devils, Allen was picked to play for the Under-18 World Hockey Championship in Kazan, Russia where he won gold and was named tournament MVP and top goalie. In 2008, the Fog Devils were sold and moved to Montreal, becoming the Montreal Junior Hockey Club. In 2009, Allen represented Canada at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship in Saskatoon, winning silver after posting 4 wins and 1 subsequent loss in the final to the Americans. Allen was traded to Drummondville after the World Juniors tournament, and posted a record of 18 wins and 3 losses with a save percentage of .933% and 1.75 GAA. He was named the recipient of the Jacques Plante Memorial Trophy as goalie of the year in the QMJHL in 2009–10.

Professional

St. Louis Blues

Allen (left) with the St. Louis Blues in 2012.

On October 22, 2008, Allen was signed by the St. Louis Blues to an entry-level contract. ^[2] He made his NHL debut during the playoffs on April 30, 2012, coming in to briefly relieve Brian Elliott late in the Blues' second game against the Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference semi-finals. During the shortened 2012–13 season, Allen was recalled to the Blues and recorded his first career NHL start and win in a 4–3 overtime victory over the Detroit Red Wings on February 13, 2013. ^[3] He has scored one goal.

On April 17, 2014, Allen was named the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award winner as the American Hockey League's (AHL) Outstanding Goaltender for the 2013–14 season. ^[4]

On March 26, 2016, Allen shut out the Washington Capitals to help the Blues break their record for longest stretch without allowing a goal. ^[5] In the 2015–16 season, he had a 2.35 GAA with a .920 save percentage.

During the 2016–17 season, Allen was pulled four times in six starts during a rough stretch of play, including a poor showing on January 19, where he allowed four goals on 10 shots against the Washington Capitals. ^[6] Allen did not travel with the team to Winnipeg for the January 21 game against the Winnipeg Jets, and stayed home to be with his newborn daughter. He was scheduled to rejoin the team on January 23, for the remaining two games of the road trip. ^[7] His play soon rebounded however, and he was named Second Star of the Week on February 13. ^[8] Allen went 3–0–0 with a 1.00 goals-against average, a .967 save percentage along with his 13th career shutout against the Ottawa Senators (February 7). His two other wins were against the Toronto Maple Leafs (2–1 OT, 31 saves, February 9), and Montreal Canadiens (February 11). ^[9]

Allen won the Stanley Cup in 2019 as the backup to rookie Jordan Binnington in the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs. He had begun the season as the starting goaltender, but after the team dove to last place in the league half way through the season the young rookie was given a shot. While Binnington shone in goal, Allen finished the second half of the season with a pedestrian 5–4–4 record.

Montreal Canadiens

Allen in net for the Canadiens in 2021

On September 2, 2020, Allen was traded to the Montreal Canadiens with a 2022 seventh-round pick in exchange for 2020 third-round and seventh-round picks. ^[10] On October 14, Allen signed a two-year, $5.75 million contract extension with the Canadiens taking him through the 2022–23 season. ^[11]

Allen immediately distinguished himself as a backup goaltender to Carey Price, especially during a stretch of the 2020–21 season where Price was unable to play due to a concussion. Allen's performance in net was widely credited with allowing the Canadiens to make the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, though Allen did not play during the playoffs themselves following Price's return. ^{[12] [13]} It was widely assumed that Allen would be taken by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft, as the rules allowed for teams to protect only one goaltender, and Price had a contractual guarantee of such protection. However, Price and Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin opted to waive Price's contractual guarantee and expose him, allowing them to protect Allen while calculating that Price's age and salary would deter the Kraken from taking him. ^[14]

Following Price's entering the NHL's Player Assistance Program at the start of the 2021–22 season, Allen was again the Canadiens' starting goaltender. He was generally judged to be performing strongly even as the team struggled to score, notably posting a 45-save shutout in an October 28 game against the San Jose Sharks that represented the Canadiens' first victory in San Jose since November 23, 1999. ^[15] On January 12, 2022, Allen sustained a groin injury in a game against the Boston Bruins, and it was announced that he would miss eight weeks of the season. ^[16] He returned to the team for a March 17 game against the Dallas Stars, making several noteworthy saves in a 4–3 overtime loss. ^[17] Allen made ten more appearances in net with the Canadiens, but was forced to exit an April 9 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs after suffering a lower body injury while attempting to stop a shot by Leafs star forward Auston Matthews. Shortly afterward he called it a "season from hell." ^[18] As a result of this new groin injury he missed the remainder of the season. ^[19]

In the off-season of 2022, it became clear that Price would at a minimum be unable to play in the 2022–23 season. As a result, Allen, entering the final year of his contract with the Canadiens, became its new starting goaltender. ^[20] On September 28, general manager Kent Hughes confirmed that he was hoping to negotiate a contract extension with Allen. ^[21] On October 1, Allen signed a two-year, $7.7 million extension with the Canadiens locking him up until the end of the 2024–25 season. ^[22] The ensuing season was marked by the ascending profile of Allen's former backup goaltender, Sam Montembeault, who enjoyed success early on in a supporting role before taking over for a stretch of games in January when Allen was injured. ^[23] Upon Allen's return to the lineup, he and Montembeault largely alternated starts on an equal basis. ^[24] Allen finished third in Molson Cup voting as the team's most valuable player at the end of the year, behind captain Nick Suzuki and Montembeault. ^[25]

The Canadiens began the 2023–24 season with three goaltenders on the roster, as in addition to Allen and Montembeault, prospect goaltender Cayden Primeau was no longer exempt from waivers and thus could not be sent down to the AHL's Laval Rocket without possibly being lost to another team. This precipitated discussions about one of the three being traded. ^[26] Allen appeared in 21 games with the Canadiens that season, with a 6–12–3 record and .892 save percentage. ^[27]

New Jersey Devils

On March 8, 2024, Allen was traded to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a conditional 2025 third-round pick. ^[28] Allen made his Devils debut on March 14, making 35 saves in a 6–2 victory over the Dallas Stars. ^[29]

Personal life

Allen and his wife Shannon have three children. ^[30]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season										Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	OT	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%		GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
2007–08	St. John's Fog Devils	QMJHL		30	9	8	4	1,507	76	2	3.14	.901		4	2	1	128	8	0	3.74	.855
2008–09	Montreal Junior Hockey Club	QMJHL		53	28	25	0	3,023	144	3	2.86	.916		10	4	6	585	35	1	3.59	.897
2009–10	Montreal Junior Hockey Club	QMJHL		23	11	11	0	1,241	55	1	2.66	.912		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Drummondville Voltigeurs	QMJHL		22	18	3	0	1,271	37	3	1.75	.933		14	9	5	840	34	1	2.43	.899
2010–11	Peoria Rivermen	AHL		47	25	19	3	2,805	118	6	2.52	.917		3	0	3	189	12	0	3.80	.888
2011–12	Peoria Rivermen	AHL		38	13	20	2	2,148	105	1	2.93	.915		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	St. Louis Blues	NHL		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		1	0	0	1	0	0	0.00	1.000
2012–13	Peoria Rivermen	AHL		35	13	19	2	2,054	99	2	2.89	.904		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	St. Louis Blues	NHL		15	9	4	0	804	33	1	2.46	.905		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Chicago Wolves	AHL		52	33	16	3	3,138	106	7	2.03	.928		9	3	6	511	28	1	3.29	.879
2014–15	St. Louis Blues	NHL		37	22	7	4	2,077	79	4	2.28	.913		6	2	4	328	12	0	2.20	.904
2015–16	St. Louis Blues	NHL		47	26	15	3	2,584	101	6	2.35	.920		5	1	1	170	7	0	2.49	.897
2016–17	St. Louis Blues	NHL		61	33	20	5	3,419	138	4	2.42	.915		11	6	5	675	22	0	1.96	.935
2017–18	St. Louis Blues	NHL		59	27	25	3	3,317	152	1	2.75	.906		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	St. Louis Blues	NHL		46	19	17	8	2,568	121	3	2.83	.905		1	0	0	24	1	0	2.45	.750
2019–20	St. Louis Blues	NHL		24	12	6	3	1,339	48	2	2.15	.927		5	2	1	286	9	0	1.89	.935
2020–21	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		29	11	12	5	1,703	76	0	2.68	.907		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		35	9	20	4	1,948	107	2	3.30	.905		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		42	15	24	3	2,451	145	1	3.55	.891		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		21	6	12	3	1,216	74	0	3.65	.892		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	New Jersey Devils	NHL		13	6	6	1	771	40	0	3.11	.900		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				429	195	168	42	24,194	1,114	24	2.76	.907		29	11	11	1,456	51	0	2.06	.925

Awards and honours

Medal record
Representing
Ice hockey
IIHF World U18 Championships
	2008 Russia
World Junior Hockey Championships
	2010 Canada

Allen in 2014, with the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award.

Award	Year	Ref
QMJHL
Jacques Plante Memorial Trophy	2010
First All-Star Team	2010
CHL First All-Star Team	2010
CHL Goaltender of the Year	2010
AHL
All-Star Game	2011, 2014
First All-Star Team	2014	[31]
Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award	2014	[4]
NHL
All-Rookie Team	2013, 2015	[32]
Stanley Cup champion	2019	[33]
International
WJC18 All-Star Team	2008	[34]
WJC18 Best Goaltender	2008
WJC18 MVP	2008

References

1. Korac, Louie (March 19, 2013). "Career path beginning to pay off for Blues' Allen". NHL.com. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
2. "Player Bio – Jake Allen". The Hockey News . January 2, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
3. Korac, Louie (February 13, 2013). "Steen's tally lifts Blues past Red Wings in OT". NHL.com. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
4. "Allen Named AHL's Outstanding Goaltender". NHL.com. April 17, 2014.
5. Brown, Katie (March 26, 2016). "Blues blank Capitals to continue streak". NHL.com. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
6. "Capitals score seven for second straight game". NHL.com. January 19, 2017.
7. "Players, coaches show support for Allen". NHL.com. January 21, 2017.
8. "Jason Pominville leads 3 Stars of the Week". NHL.com. February 13, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
9. "Allen named NHL's second star of the week". NHL.com. February 13, 2017.
10. "Allen traded to Canadiens by Blues". NHL.com. September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
11. "Canadiens sign Jake Allen to a two-year contract extension". NHL.com. October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
12. Stu Cowan (July 14, 2021). "Canadiens can't afford to lose goalie Jake Allen to Seattle". Montreal Gazette . Retrieved July 23, 2021.
13. Sebastian High (July 13, 2021). "Montreal Canadiens: 2020-21 Report Card Grades For Every Player". A Winning Habit. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
14. Stu Cowan (July 21, 2021). "Canadiens can move forward with Carey Price and Jake Allen". Montreal Gazette . Retrieved July 23, 2021.
15. Stu Cowan (October 29, 2021). "Allen earns SO, Habs blank Sharks". TSN . Retrieved October 29, 2021.
16. "Allen out eight weeks for Canadiens with lower-body injury". NHL.com. January 21, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
17. Pat Hickey (March 18, 2022). "Controversial ending sours solid effort from Montreal". Montreal Gazette . Retrieved March 18, 2022.
18. Eric Engels (April 9, 2022). "Despite 'season from hell,' Allen has left considerable mark on young Canadiens". Sportsnet . Retrieved April 11, 2022.
19. "Canadiens' Allen, Barron out for remainder of the season". Sportsnet . April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
20. Stu Cowan (September 28, 2022). "Canadiens' Jake Allen to play 'stabilizer' role this season". Montreal Gazette . Retrieved September 28, 2022.
21. Pierre LeBrun (September 28, 2022). "How Canadiens GM Kent Hughes plans to re-tool without creating 'losing culture'". The Athletic . Retrieved September 28, 2022.
22. "Canadiens sign goalie Jake Allen to two-year, $7.7M contract extension". Sportsnet . October 1, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
23. Hickey, Pat (January 25, 2023). "Canadiens' Jake Allen not threatened by Sam Montembeault's success". Montreal Gazette . Retrieved April 19, 2023.
24. Szporer, Ryan Antoine (March 18, 2023). "Canadiens' Goalie Montembeault Lays Claim to No. 1 Job". The Hockey Writers.
25. Montreal Canadiens (April 14, 2023). "Nick Suzuki wins the Canadiens' Molson Cup Player of the Year". National Hockey League. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
26. Galanopoulos, Chris (November 20, 2023). "How Long Will the Montreal Canadiens Keep Three Goalies?". The Hockey News . Retrieved March 8, 2024.
27. Montreal Canadiens (March 8, 2024). "Jake Allen traded to New Jersey for a conditional third-round pick in 2025". NHL.com. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
28. "Devils Acquire Goaltender Allen from Montreal". NHL.com. March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
29. Baird, Taylor (March 14, 2024). "Allen makes 35 saves in debut, Devils defeat Stars". NHL.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
30. Cowan, Stu (October 19, 2022). "Jake Allen back with Canadiens after birth of third daughter". Montreal Gazette . Retrieved October 19, 2022.
31. "2013–14 AHL All-Star Team". Observer-Dispatch . April 10, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
32. "Allen Named to NHL All-Rookie Team". St. Louis Blues Official Website. June 29, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
33. "Blues win cup for first time, defeat Bruins in Game 7 of final". National Hockey League. June 12, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
34. "All-Star Team unveiled". Elite Prospects. January 2, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2012.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Eurohockey.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Niklas Svedberg	Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award 2013–14	Succeeded by Matt Murray