The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They compete in the NHL's Western Conference Central Division. Established in 1967 during the NHL's expansion, the team takes its name from W.C. Handy's famous song. Since 1994, the Blues have called the Enterprise Center home, an 18,096-capacity arena located in downtown St. Louis. Prior to that, they played at the St. Louis Arena.
The minor league St. Louis Flyers began playing at the St. Louis Arena in 1929 after the installation of an ice plant.
In 1934, the struggling Ottawa Senators hockey team relocated to St. Louis and were renamed the St. Louis Eagles.
Following a period of contraction, the NHL stabilized with six teams in 1942, resisting further expansion attempts.
The Chicago Black Hawks won the Stanley Cup in 1961, leading to increased box office success in Chicago and diminishing the need for St. Louis as a secondary market.
The St. Louis Blues experienced a leak of their prototype uniform design in 1966, which featured the team name encircling a primitive "blue note" logo along with contrasting stripes and a gold base color.
The ownership group led by Sid Salomon Jr., Sid Salomon III, and Robert L. Wolfson was awarded the St. Louis Blues franchise in 1966.
Julius "Biggie" Garagnani, a member of the St. Louis Blues' initial investment group, died of a heart attack on June 19, 1967, shortly before the team's first game.
In 1967, the NHL underwent a significant expansion, welcoming five new teams to the league, marking a new era in professional hockey.
In 1967, the St. Louis Blues joined the NHL as an expansion team, marking the beginning of their journey in the league.
In 1967, the St. Louis Blues played their inaugural season at the St. Louis Arena.
In 1967, the St. Louis Blues were founded as an expansion team in the NHL, joining as one of six new teams.
In their inaugural year of 1967, the St. Louis Blues introduced their iconic blue and white jerseys, featuring the memorable "Blue Note" crest, which would become synonymous with the franchise.
The St. Louis Blues joined the NHL as an expansion team in 1967.
In 1968, the St. Louis Blues, led by coach Scotty Bowman, reached the Stanley Cup Finals in their inaugural season, ultimately losing to the Montreal Canadiens.
The year 1968 marked the St. Louis Blues' first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals, a significant milestone in the franchise's early history.
The St. Louis Blues, under coach Al Arbour, matched their previous season's performance in 1969-1970, but it was only enough for second place in the West.
The St. Louis Blues, after dominating the West, were swept by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1969 Stanley Cup Finals.
Glenn Hall and Jacques Plante, the St. Louis Blues' goaltending duo, won the Vezina Trophy in 1969, recognizing their exceptional performance.
In 1970, the St. Louis Blues faced another Stanley Cup Finals defeat, this time being swept by the Boston Bruins.
After the 1970-71 season, Red Berenson was traded, bringing Garry Unger to the Blues. Unger would go on to score 30 goals in eight consecutive seasons while also breaking the NHL's consecutive games played record.
In 1970, the St. Louis Blues reached the Stanley Cup Finals, showcasing their early potential as a franchise.
Phil Goyette, playing for the St. Louis Blues, received the Lady Byng Trophy in 1970, awarded for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct.
The Blues missed the playoffs for the first time in 1973-74 and were moved to the Smythe Division after a league realignment.
By 1975, the St. Louis Blues broadcast team evolved to include Dan Kelly as commentator, joined by either Gus Kyle, Bob Plager, or Noel Picard for analysis. This setup was simulcast on KMOX radio and KPLR-TV.
Despite finishing below .500, the Blues won the weak Smythe Division in 1976-77, marking their last playoff appearance of the decade.
On July 27, 1977, Ralston Purina purchased the St. Louis Blues, the arena, and their debt to prevent the franchise from folding. They renamed the arena the "Checkerdome."
In 1977, the St. Louis Arena, home of the Blues, was renamed "The Checkerdome," a moniker that would become synonymous with the team and its history.
In 1979, the St. Louis Blues made subtle adjustments to the design of their jerseys, refining their visual identity.
The Blues recorded their worst-ever record in 1979, going 18-50-12 with 48 points.
The St. Louis Blues embarked on an impressive playoff streak starting in 1980.
The Blues had one of their best seasons in 1981, achieving a franchise-best 45-18-17 record. Red Berenson won the Jack Adams Award, Mike Liut was a Hart Trophy runner-up, and several players received accolades. Despite regular-season success, they were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.
Following R. Hal Dean's retirement, Ralston Purina's new chairman, William Stiritz, decided to sell the Blues to focus on their core business.
During a game against the Oilers on December 7, 1982, brochures promoting "Saskatchewan in the NHL" were distributed, hinting at a potential relocation.
In 1982, the St. Louis Blues drafted Doug Gilmour, a future star player for the franchise.
Bill Hunter, founder of the WHA and Edmonton Oilers, made an offer to purchase the Blues on January 12, 1983, with plans to relocate the team to Saskatoon.
With the franchise on the verge of folding, businessman Harry Ornest and a group of St. Louis investors purchased the team and arena on July 27, 1983, just ten days before the deadline.
In 1983, "The Checkerdome" reverted to its original name, the St. Louis Arena, marking a return to the venue's initial identity.
The St. Louis Blues significantly changed their jersey design in 1984, incorporating red and a deeper shade of blue. The team name was initially displayed above the crest logo but was removed a few years later.
The year 1984 brought a change to the St. Louis Blues' jerseys, as the team updated their on-ice look.
Seeking increased broadcast revenue, the St. Louis Blues made the decision to move their radio rights to KXOK in 1985, signing a three-year contract with the station. Ron Jacober joined KXOK as their sports director.
The St. Louis Blues made their first appearance in the conference finals in 1986.
The St. Louis Blues reached the Campbell Conference Finals in 1986, facing off against the Calgary Flames. Game 6 saw a memorable moment dubbed the "Monday Night Miracle" with Doug Wickenheiser's overtime goal. Despite this victory, the Blues ultimately lost to the Flames in Game 7.
In 1987, Ron Jacober transitioned from KXOK to KMOX.
In 1987, the St. Louis Blues simplified their jersey design by removing the team name that was previously positioned above the crest logo.
In a somber turn of events, Dan Kelly, the beloved voice of the St. Louis Blues, received a diagnosis of lung cancer in October 1988.
Dan Kelly, the renowned voice of the St. Louis Blues, tragically passed away from lung cancer on February 10, 1989.
Dan Kelly, the St. Louis Blues' radio play-by-play announcer, became the first Blues broadcaster to be awarded the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award by the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1989.
Several former St. Louis Blues players, including Rob Ramage, Joe Mullen, and Doug Gilmour, played key roles in the Calgary Flames' Stanley Cup victory in 1989.
Ron Baechle, also known as the "Towel Man" or "Towel Guy," started celebrating St. Louis Blues goals in 1990. He counts along with the goal bell and throws towels into the crowd from section 314.
Brett Hull, nicknamed "Golden Brett," had a standout year in 1990, scoring a remarkable 86 goals. This achievement set a record for most goals by a right-winger in a single season and earned him the Hart Memorial Trophy.
During the 1992-1993 season at the St. Louis Arena, the St. Louis Blues added a goal horn.
In 1994, the St. Louis Blues moved from the St. Louis Arena to their current home, the Enterprise Center.
In 1994, the St. Louis Blues moved to the Kiel Center, now known as the Enterprise Center, and brought with them their goal horn and other fan traditions.
In 1994, the St. Louis Blues relocated to a new arena, marking a significant moment in their history.
Mike Keenan was appointed as both general manager and coach of the St. Louis Blues in the 1994-1995 season.
The Kiel Center, later renamed the Enterprise Center, opened in 1994, marking a new era for the St. Louis Blues.
The St. Louis Blues unveiled a bold new jersey design for the 1994-1995 season, featuring a more prominent use of red and a short-lived trumpet logo on the shoulders.
This event refers to the introduction of a new jersey design by the St. Louis Blues in 1995, but no specific details are provided within the provided text.
Chris Pronger was acquired by the St. Louis Blues from the Hartford Whalers in 1995 in exchange for Brendan Shanahan.
The St. Louis Blues, under Mike Keenan's leadership, faced a first-round exit in the 1995 playoffs.
On December 19, 1996, Mike Keenan was fired from his position as general manager and coach of the St. Louis Blues.
Mike Keenan's tenure with the St. Louis Blues ended with a second-round playoff exit in 1996. He was fired on December 19, 1996.
Wayne Gretzky played for the St. Louis Blues in 1996.
Larry Pleau was appointed as the general manager of the St. Louis Blues on June 9, 1997.
The St. Louis Blues introduced a new alternate white jersey in the 1997-1998 season, featuring the return of the contrasting shoulder yoke and the use of navy blue as an accent color.
This event refers to the introduction of a new jersey design by the St. Louis Blues in 1998, but no specific details are provided within the provided text.
In 1998, Brett Hull left the St. Louis Blues to join the Dallas Stars.
This event refers to the introduction of a new jersey design by the St. Louis Blues in 1998, but no specific details are provided within the provided text.
The St. Louis Blues had a historic season in 1999-2000, achieving a franchise-record 114 points and earning the Presidents' Trophy for the league's best record.
Nancy Walton Laurie and Bill Laurie became the owners of the St. Louis Blues in 1999.
Despite their record-breaking regular season, the St. Louis Blues suffered an unexpected first-round defeat against the San Jose Sharks in the 2000 playoffs.
The NHL retired Wayne Gretzky's number 99 for all its member teams, including the St. Louis Blues, at the 2000 NHL All-Star Game.
The St. Louis Blues concluded their long-standing partnership with KMOX radio in 2000, marking the end of a significant chapter in the team's broadcasting history.
The St. Louis Blues reached the Western Conference Finals in 2001 but were defeated by the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche.
In 2004, the NHL experienced a lockout, a labor dispute that resulted in the cancellation of the entire season.
The 2004-2005 NHL lockout led to the end of Game Night Revue, a long-running St. Louis Blues fan publication.
The St. Louis Blues' historic playoff streak, which began in 1980, came to an end in 2004.
On June 17, 2005, the Lauries, owners of the St. Louis Blues, made public their decision to sell the team.
The Lauries, owners of the St. Louis Blues, entered into an agreement to sell the team to SCP Worldwide on September 29, 2005.
SCP Worldwide withdrew from negotiations to purchase the St. Louis Blues on November 14, 2005.
On December 27, 2005, the St. Louis Blues entered into exclusive negotiations with General Sports and Entertainment, LLC for the team's sale.
In 2005, following the 2004-2005 NHL lockout, Game Night Revue published its final issue. Soon after, several former Game Night Revue staff members created a new publication, St. Louis Game Time.
The St. Louis Blues, along with the lease to the Savvis Center, were officially sold to SCP and TowerBrook Capital Partners, L.P. on March 24, 2006.
On December 11, 2006, the St. Louis Blues fired head coach Mike Kitchen after a disappointing start to the season. He was replaced by former Los Angeles Kings head coach Andy Murray.
In 2006, the St. Louis Blues faced challenges in attracting fans, as their attendance figures reached an all-time low.
By January 4, 2007, the St. Louis Blues significantly improved their performance, boasting the NHL's best record in their previous ten games (6-1-3). Despite the improvement, they ultimately missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
On October 2, 2007, the St. Louis Blues finalized their roster, including rookies David Perron, Steven Wagner, and Erik Johnson. Additionally, they introduced a new mascot named Louie.
On October 10, 2007, the St. Louis Blues introduced their mascot, a blue polar bear, to the public.
St. Louis Blues fans participated in a vote on the team's website on November 3, 2007, ultimately selecting "Louie" as the name for the team's new mascot.
During the 2007 NHL trade deadline and off-season, the St. Louis Blues executed several trades, involving players like Bill Guerin, Keith Tkachuk, and Dennis Wideman, to acquire draft picks and bolster their roster. Notably, they signed Paul Kariya to a three-year contract worth $18 million.
In the 2007-2008 season, the St. Louis Blues, along with all other NHL teams, transitioned to the new Rbk Edge jerseys, opting for a simplified design with only the blue note logo on the front.
This event refers to the introduction of a new jersey design by the St. Louis Blues in 2007, but no specific details are provided within the provided text.
On February 8, 2008, after playing a significant part of the season without a captain, the St. Louis Blues named defenseman Eric Brewer as the 19th captain in team history.
On September 21, 2008, the St. Louis Blues revealed a new third jersey design featuring the Gateway Arch with the Blue Note logo superimposed over it.
The St. Louis Blues wore their newly unveiled third jersey for the first time in a home game against the Anaheim Ducks on November 21, 2008.
On April 10, 2009, the St. Louis Blues secured their first playoff appearance in five years after defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets. The team's strong second-half performance, led by goalie Chris Mason, propelled them to the postseason.
In 2009, the St. Louis Blues experienced a resurgence in attendance, with their games drawing significant crowds.
John Davidson, a former St. Louis Blues broadcaster, received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in 2009 from the Hockey Hall of Fame for his contributions to television broadcasting.
On January 2, 2010, the St. Louis Blues fired head coach Andy Murray due to the team's underwhelming performance (17-17-6) and the worst home record (6-13-3) in the NHL. This decision reflected the team's struggles, particularly in maintaining leads after two periods.
The year 2010 saw the St. Louis Blues maintain their strong attendance figures, indicating a positive trend in fan support.
On March 17, 2011, it was publicly announced that the St. Louis Blues franchise was officially put up for sale.
On November 6, 2011, the St. Louis Blues appointed Ken Hitchcock as their new head coach, replacing Davis Payne. Additionally, David Backes was named the team's captain.
On March 17, 2012, the St. Louis Blues became the first NHL team to secure 100 points and clinch a playoff spot in the 2011-12 season under coach Ken Hitchcock. This marked their return to the playoffs after a brief absence since the 2008-09 season.
In the 2013-14 season, the St. Louis Blues achieved franchise records, reaching the 100-point mark for the sixth time and securing 52 wins. However, a six-game losing streak at the end of the season cost them the Central Division title, top seed in the Western Conference, and the Presidents' Trophy, leaving them in second place.
During the 2014-15 season, the St. Louis Blues won their second Central Division championship in four years. However, their playoff run was cut short as they faced a first-round exit for the third consecutive year, losing to the Minnesota Wild in six games.
In 2014, the St. Louis Blues adopted Pitbull's "Don't Stop the Party" as their win song.
The St. Louis Blues made minor adjustments to their jerseys for the 2014-2015 season, maintaining the Reebok Edge template while reverting to the design elements used from 1998 to 2007.
In the 2015-16 season, the St. Louis Blues ended their streak of first-round playoff exits by defeating the Chicago Blackhawks in seven games. They continued their successful run by beating the Dallas Stars in the second round, advancing to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2001.
On June 13, 2016, the St. Louis Blues announced significant coaching changes, naming Mike Yeo as the successor to Ken Hitchcock as head coach following the conclusion of the 2016-17 season.
Following backlash from fans, the St. Louis Blues replaced Pitbull's "Don't Stop the Party" with Blur's "Song 2" as their win song in 2016.
The St. Louis Blues decided to retire their navy blue third jersey ahead of the 2016-2017 season.
On February 1, 2017, the St. Louis Blues made a decisive move, firing head coach Ken Hitchcock and promoting Mike Yeo to the position.
The 2017-18 season saw the St. Louis Blues navigate roster changes, including the departure of David Perron to the Vegas Golden Knights and the acquisition of Brayden Schenn from the Philadelphia Flyers. The team also faced significant injury challenges, with players like Robby Fabbri, Patrik Berglund, and Alex Steen missing time.
On October 1, 2018, the St. Louis Blues announced that they would be introducing a new goal song for the upcoming season. The song, "The Blues Have The Urge," was recorded by local band The Urge and would be played immediately following the Blues' traditional organ music after every goal.
On November 19, 2018, the St. Louis Blues made a coaching change, firing head coach Mike Yeo after a 7-9-3 start to the season and naming Craig Berube as the interim head coach.
Beginning in 2018, the St. Louis Blues started using "The Blues Have The Urge" by The Urge as their win song.
For the 2018-2019 season, the St. Louis Blues introduced a third jersey based on the one they wore during the 2017 NHL Winter Classic, to be worn specifically for Saturday home games.
After a win in Philadelphia on January 3, 2019, the St. Louis Blues started playing Laura Branigan's "Gloria" after every home win.
On February 9, 2019, during a game against the Nashville Predators, the St. Louis Blues played John Denver's "Country Roads." Despite the music cutting off before the chorus was finished, fans continued to sing, creating a memorable moment and a new tradition.
On March 29, 2019, the St. Louis Blues achieved a remarkable turnaround, securing a playoff spot after being in last place in the NHL standings on January 1st. Their resurgence was fueled by an impressive winning streak and the exceptional performance of rookie goaltender Jordan Binnington.
On June 12, 2019, the St. Louis Blues etched their names into hockey history, defeating the Boston Bruins in Game 7 to capture their first-ever Stanley Cup championship. This victory marked the culmination of a remarkable season and ended their status as the oldest franchise without a Stanley Cup title.
On August 29, 2019, a bill signed into law by Missouri Governor Mike Parson officially recognized the St. Louis Blues as the state's official hockey team, solidifying their special place in Missouri's sporting landscape.
The St. Louis Blues played "Gloria" for the last time on October 2, 2019, at the raising of their Stanley Cup Championship banner.
During the 2019 playoffs, the St. Louis Blues began playing Laura Branigan's "Gloria" before The Urge's "The Blues Have The Urge" after every win.
The St. Louis Blues won their first Stanley Cup championship in 2019, a significant victory after years of playoff struggles.
Starting with the 2019-2020 preseason, WXOS (101 ESPN) took over as the flagship radio station for the St. Louis Blues.
During the 2019-20 season, the St. Louis Blues faced a setback when forward Vladimir Tarasenko suffered a season-ending injury, impacting their offensive capabilities.
On February 12, 2020, the hockey world watched in concern as St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester collapsed on the bench during a game against the Anaheim Ducks. This incident led to the game's suspension and Bouwmeester's absence for the remainder of the season.
In August 2020, the NHL implemented a unique "Return to Play" tournament to resume the season, which had been interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This format involved a qualifying round and a round-robin tournament for seeding purposes.
On September 2, 2020, the St. Louis Blues traded goaltender Jake Allen, who had been a part of the organization for a decade, to the Montreal Canadiens.
Prior to the start of the 2020-2021 season, the St. Louis Blues introduced a "Reverse Retro" alternate uniform, drawing inspiration from their 1995 to 1998 design but with a red base color.
In the 2022-2023 season, the St. Louis Blues released their second iteration of the "Reverse Retro" uniform, this time paying homage to the prototype uniforms the team had initially leaked in 1966.
The St. Louis Blues unveiled a vintage white version of their third jersey for the 2022 NHL Winter Classic.
The St. Louis Blues established their own team Hall of Fame in 2023.