“I really haven’t heard it from the horse’s mouth, so to speak, but obviously my parents and friends and family have read stuff on the Internet,” Elliott said. “It’s obviously good to hear those words, that they have confidence in you, but it is all up to you and how you play. There’s always somebody knocking on the door.”

Many athletes will say that they train the same regardless of whether they’re a starter or play a complementary role. Elliott is no different on that topic, adding that “you almost have to train harder when you’re the backup because you’re doing” all the extra work. But he admits that his summer workouts have had more energy.

“You do get a little bit of the feeling that if I do this extra push-up, this extra pull-up, maybe it’ll be an extra save here or there that can help down the road,” Elliott said. “I think every little bit helps and sometimes when you have that extra goal in mind, it helps you to push through the grind.

“I don’t know if that’s mental, but I’m just excited about the opportunity. I’ve been on the ice earlier than usual and in the weight room, pushing around a little more weights than usual. Every day I go into a workout with a smile on my face and ready to go. When you do have a little more responsibility, you want to take your lunch pail and get ready to work.”