St. Louis Blues (ice hockey)

St. Louis Blues (ice hockey)
Name	St. Louis Blues
Current	2023–24 St. Louis Blues season
City	St. Louis, Missouri
League	National Hockey League
Conference	Western Conference
Division	Central Division
Founded	1967
Arena	Enterprise Center
Colors	Blue, navy blue, gold, white
Owner	Tom Stillman
General manager	Doug Armstrong
Coach	Drew Bannister
Captain	Brayden Schenn
Media	Bally Sports Midwest
Affiliations	Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL), Peoria Rivermen (ECHL)

St. Louis Blues (ice hockey). The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri, and are members of the Central Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League. Founded in 1967 as part of the league's six-team expansion, the franchise has played its home games at the Enterprise Center since 1994. The Blues are best known for winning their first Stanley Cup championship in 2019, ending a 52-year title drought.

History

The franchise was awarded in 1967 to an ownership group led by Sid Salomon III and his son, Sidney Salomon Jr., securing the city's place in the post-Original Six era. The team's early success was driven by legendary coach Scotty Bowman, who led them to three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearances from 1968 to 1970, though they were swept each time. Key figures in the 1980s and 1990s included high-scoring forwards Brett Hull and Bernie Federko, with Hull's 86-goal season in 1990–91 standing as a franchise record. After a period of financial instability and ownership changes, the team was purchased by a group led by Tom Stillman in 2012. The modern era culminated in the 2019 championship, led by captain Alex Pietrangelo, goaltender Jordan Binnington, and coach Craig Berube, defeating the Boston Bruins in seven games.

Team information

The Blues play their home games at the Enterprise Center (formerly known as the Kiel Center and Scottrade Center), a multi-purpose arena located in downtown St. Louis. The team's primary colors are blue, navy blue, and gold, with their iconic "Blue Note" logo being one of the most consistent in the NHL. Their primary broadcast partner is Bally Sports Midwest, with radio broadcasts historically on KMOX. The team's AHL affiliate is the Springfield Thunderbirds, and their ECHL affiliate is the Peoria Rivermen.

Season-by-season record

Since joining the NHL in the 1967–68 season, the Blues have qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs over 40 times, including a league-record streak of 25 consecutive appearances from 1980 to 2004. Their most successful regular season came in 1999–2000, when they won the Presidents' Trophy with 114 points under coach Joel Quenneville. Notable playoff runs include their Finals appearances in 1968, 1969, and 1970, and their championship victory in 2019. The franchise has also won multiple Campbell Conference and Western Conference championships.

Players and personnel

Notable alumni in the Hockey Hall of Fame include Brett Hull, Bernie Federko, Al MacInnis, Grant Fuhr, and Chris Pronger. Current key players include captain Brayden Schenn, Jordan Kyrou, and Robert Thomas. The front office is led by general manager Doug Armstrong, one of the longest-tenured GMs in the league. The coaching staff is headed by Drew Bannister. The team's first overall draft pick, Erik Johnson in 2006, and franchise scoring leader, Bernie Federko, are central to its legacy.

Championships and achievements

The franchise's greatest achievement is winning the Stanley Cup in 2019. They have also secured one Presidents' Trophy (1999–2000) and multiple division titles. Individual award winners include Brett Hull (Hart Trophy, Lady Byng Trophy), Chris Pronger (Hart Trophy, Norris Trophy), and Barclay Plager (Masterton Trophy). Several players have had their numbers retired, including Bernie Federko (24), Brett Hull (16), Al MacInnis (2), and Bob Gassoff (3).

Rivalries

The Blues maintain intense rivalries, primarily within the Central Division. Their most historic and fierce rivalry is with the Chicago Blackhawks, dating to the Norris Division days of the 1970s. A significant playoff rivalry exists with the Boston Bruins, cemented by the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals. Other notable divisional rivalries include those with the Detroit Red Wings (though now geographically separated) and the Dallas Stars, with numerous memorable playoff series, including the 2019 second-round matchup. The Battle of Missouri with the Kansas City Scouts was brief but notable in the 1970s.

Category:St. Louis Blues Category:National Hockey League teams Category:Ice hockey clubs in Missouri Category:1967 establishments in Missouri