RELIVE ELIOT, TEVES' TOP MOMENTS OF THE 2021-22 SEASON
Jun 14, 2022By Ryan Harr
The Rochester Americans’ 2021-22 season saw a lot of magical moments, both for the team and for the players. Here’s a closer look back at some of the top moments of the season from Amerks defensemen Mitch Eliot and Josh Teves.
DUO SHARE BOND
Prior to the start of the 2021-22 season, the Amerks signed both blueliners to a one-year American Hockey League contract less than two weeks apart as Teves signed with the club on August 6 before Eliot inked his contract just 12 days later. The duo joined Rochester’s defensive corps after spending their first two professional seasons between the Utica Comets and Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL).
The similarities continued as Eliot, 24, and Teves, 27, both finished their third campaign and first full season in the AHL after the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown their first year in the league. They also made their Calder Cup Playoff debuts during Rochester’s run to the North Division Finals.
While the Amerks used 16 different defensemen during the regular season and 10 over the course of postseason, both were regulars in Rochester’s lineup. Teves and finished the regular season second and third among all Amerks defensemen in shots with 98 and 83, respectively.
CAREER SETTING SEASON
Joining the Amerks after spending the previous two seasons under the former Vancouver Canucks affiliate, the duo seemed to seize every opportunity they earned this season.
“Coming into training camp and knowing how deep the organization was with defensemen, I just had to try to earn as much as I can while I find my role,” said Eliot. Once I started to play a lot of games, my role kind of started to define itself and I started to have a clearer idea as to what was going to keep me in the lineup.”
WATCH: MITCH ELIOT YEAR-END INTERVIEW
Eliot matched his career-best three goals and finished the season with 10 points (3+7) in 51 games. Before this season, Eliot never appeared in more than 27 professional games and only played in 50 or more contests three times, all of which came during his junior career. The Orange County, California, native played also appeared in four playoff contests.
“I always relied on my skating,” explained Eliot. “One thing Apps and Webby were complementary of was how I use my skating, closing guys off and my aggression. I feel I am an aggressive player and both Apps and Webby worked with me quite a bit. They both helped me when to be aggressive, when not to be and let the play develop in front of me, but also playing within my style.”
Teves, meanwhile, led all Amerk defensemen as he skated in a personal-best 72 games to go with his six goals, 15 assists and 21 points. He finished the regular season second among all Rochester blueliners in goals and third in both assists and points. Additionally, the Calgary, Alberta, native posted a pair of assists in seven postseason games, which tied for fourth on the team’s defense.
WATCH: JOSH TEVES YEAR-END INTERVIEW
“Coming into this season, I really wanted to establish myself in this league,” Teves commented. Joining the staff here and them to say just play your game. Having the staff trust me while helping me add an authentic part of my game, all of that really helped build my confidence. “
“I think that is one of the reasons we had so much success as a team and myself as well,” added Teves.
CONTRIBUTING OFFENSIVELY
Rochester’s 5-3 victory over the Laval Rocket back on Dec. 10 was the Amerks fifth straight during a stretch in which the team won siz of seven, including four on home ice.
The game was much more than that, though. It marked Eliot’s first goal as an Amerk while also it served as the night that Teves produced his first two-assist outing of the season.
Eliot’s tally at the 5:14 mark of the third period was the game-winning goal and was assisted by both Teves and fellow defenseman Ethan Prow.
“It definitely was really special,” Teves said. “I have been lucky to come up the ranks with Mitch. We’ve played our first pro seasons together and have even lived together. For us to both have a successful season, it was super exciting, and then to help set him up for his first goal of the season, it was awesome.”
CAPITALIZING ON OPPORTUNITIES
Throughout the season and all 10 playoff games, Amerks head coach Seth Appert used a lineup consisting of 11 forwards and seven defensemen. A coach can use that combination for many reasons but Eliot and Teves played more often than they sat out.
“I know I am not the biggest guy, but I took pride in contributing when I got in the lineup,” explained Eliot. “Using my strength and my smarts to win some puck battles and break the puck out, that was a key of mine this season.”
“We had different lineups with different players, most of whom may not have begun the season with us,” Teves said. “I think as someone who played in many roles, it helped. Just being a team player and to play in various roles, it only made me a better player.