Corey Alan Elkins (born February 23, 1985) is an American former ice hockey center who played3 games in the National Hockey League with the Los Angeles Kings. The rest of his career, which lasted from 2009 to 2020, was spent in the minor leagues and then in Europe.
Playing career
Undrafted, Elkins attended Keith Elementary school in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Elkins played collegiate hockey with Ohio State University of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association before signing an entry-level contract and appearing in 3 games with the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL)
After just two seasons within the Kings organization, Elkins left for abroad, linking up with HC Pardubice of the Czech Extraliga (ELH).
On July 9, 2012, Elkins signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Anaheim Ducks. During the 2012–13 season, Elkins was assigned to Ducks affiliates. On January 5, 2013, Elkins was granted a mutual release of his contract and returned to Europe in signing for the remainder of the year in Finland with HIFK of the SM-liiga.
Elkins played 5 seasons in the Liiga with HIFK, before concluding his tenure in Finland after the 2016–17 season. As a free agent, Elkins opted to return to North America, agreeing to a one-year AHL contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins on May 2, 2017. In his return to the AHL in the 2017–18 season, Elkins did not miss a game with the Griffins, contributing with 9 goals and 20 points in 76 games.
After a first-round exit in the post-season, Elkins left Grand Rapids as a free agent, agreeing to continue his career in Germany on a one-year contract with Grizzlys Wolfsburg of the DEL on May 14, 2018. During preparation with the Grizzlys for the 2018–19 campaign, Albert suffered a long-term injury, forcing him out for the entirety of the season.