St Louis Blues Ice Hockey Team
The St Louis Blues is a professional ice hockey team based in St Louis, Missouri. It is a member of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The team was established in 1967 as one of the six expansion teams during the NHL's 1967 expansion.
The Early Years
The St Louis Blues were part of the first NHL expansion in 1967. The team was owned by Sid Salomon Jr. and a group of investors. Lynn Patrick, who had previously coached the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins, was hired as the Blues' first coach. The team's name was chosen after a W.C. Handy song, "St. Louis Blues."
The Blues had a rocky start in the league, finishing last in their division in their first three seasons. In the 1968-69 season, however, the team made it to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in its history. The Blues would go on to reach the playoffs in each of their first three seasons.
Success in the 1980s
The 1980s were a successful decade for the St Louis Blues. The team made it to the playoffs in each of the ten seasons of the decade. In the 1985-86 season, the Blues made it to the Conference Finals but lost to the Calgary Flames. During this decade, the Blues had some of the best players in the league, such as Bernie Federko, Brian Sutter, and Brett Hull.
The Brett Hull Era
Brett Hull is one of the most iconic players in St Louis Blues history. He played for the team from 1988 to 1998, during which time he scored an incredible 527 goals. Hull won the Hart Memorial Trophy in the 1990-91 season and led the league in goals twice. His most famous moment with the Blues came in the 1990-91 season when he scored the series-winning goal in the Conference Finals against the Minnesota North Stars.
The Stanley Cup Victory
After years of coming close, the St Louis Blues finally won the Stanley Cup in the 2018-19 season. The team had a shaky start to the season and were last in the league by January. However, they went on a remarkable run in the second half of the season and made it to the playoffs as the third seed in the Central Division. The Blues beat the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks, and Boston Bruins to win the Stanley Cup for the first time in their 52-year history.
The Blues Today
The St Louis Blues have been a competitive team in the NHL for over five decades. In addition to their Stanley Cup win in 2019, the team has won four Conference Championships and nine Division Championships. The current team features some of the league's top players, such as Ryan O'Reilly, Vladimir Tarasenko, and David Perron.
Off the ice, the Blues are also committed to giving back to their community. The team's charitable arm, Blues for Kids, supports local non-profits that focus on health and wellness, education, youth hockey development, and more.
Conclusion
The St Louis Blues have a rich and storied history in the NHL. From their rocky start in the league to their memorable Stanley Cup victory in 2019, the team has captured the hearts of fans in St Louis and beyond. With a talented roster and a commitment to their community, the Blues are sure to continue making an impact both on and off the ice.
