NHL · Central · St. Louis, Missouri, US · Enterprise Center
St. Louis Blues
A half-century of heartbreak erased in one glorious spring - the Blues are the Gateway City's resilient hockey institution, a franchise that endured more pain than any team should have to before finally lifting the Cup in 2019 with one of the greatest worst-to-first stories ever told.
1967–1980
Expansion and the Cup Finals
Three straight Finals in three years
The Blues entered the NHL in 1967 and immediately made history by reaching the Stanley Cup Final in each of their first three seasons (1968, 1969, 1970). Due to the NHL's expansion structure, which placed all six new teams in one division, the Blues were guaranteed a Final spot, but they were swept in all three series by the Montreal Canadiens (twice) and the Boston Bruins.
Despite the Final losses, the early Blues teams were competitive and entertaining, featuring Hall of Famers like Glenn Hall, Jacques Plante, and Red Berenson. The franchise established a strong hockey culture in St. Louis, with the old St. Louis Arena providing a passionate atmosphere. The team remained competitive through the 1970s with players like Garry Unger, who set an NHL iron man streak of 914 consecutive games.
Key Facts
- Reached the Stanley Cup Final in each of their first three seasons
- Swept in all three Cup Finals (1968, 1969, 1970)
- Glenn Hall and Jacques Plante provided legendary goaltending
- Garry Unger set an iron man record of 914 consecutive games
1980–2005
Hull, Gretzky, and Heartbreak
Star power but no Cup
The Blues assembled talented rosters throughout the 1980s and 1990s, featuring stars like Brett Hull, whose 86-goal season in 1990-91 remains one of the greatest individual seasons in NHL history. Hull's booming slap shot and charismatic personality made him the most popular player in franchise history. The addition of Adam Oates created one of hockey's greatest scoring duos.
The Blues also briefly had Wayne Gretzky (1996), Chris Pronger (who won the Hart Trophy in 2000), and Al MacInnis on their roster. Despite the parade of future Hall of Famers, the Blues could never break through in the playoffs. The franchise reached the Conference Final several times but the Cup remained elusive. The move from the old Arena to the Kiel Center (later Enterprise Center) in 1994 provided a modern home, but the playoff frustrations continued to mount.
Key Facts
- Brett Hull scored 86 goals in 1990-91
- Chris Pronger won the Hart Trophy in 2000
- Wayne Gretzky played briefly for the Blues in 1996
- Moved to the Kiel Center (Enterprise Center) in 1994
2005–Present
Gloria and the Cup
From worst to first and a championship at last
The Blues' path to the Cup was one of the most improbable stories in sports history. In January 2019, the Blues had the worst record in the NHL and appeared destined for another disappointing season. Rookie goaltender Jordan Binnington's emergence and the team's adoption of the song 'Gloria' by Laura Branigan as their anthem sparked a turnaround for the ages.
The Blues went from last place to Stanley Cup champions, defeating the Boston Bruins in seven games in the 2019 Final. Ryan O'Reilly won the Conn Smythe Trophy, and the victory ended a 52-year championship drought, the longest in NHL history at the time. The celebration in St. Louis was one of the most emotional in sports, with generations of fans who had waited their entire lives finally seeing their team hoist the Cup. The victory validated the loyalty of one of hockey's most devoted fanbases.
Key Facts
- Won the Stanley Cup in 2019, ending a 52-year drought
- Were in last place in the NHL in January 2019
- Ryan O'Reilly won the Conn Smythe Trophy
- 'Gloria' by Laura Branigan became the team's anthem