Where The Blues Hockey Play In 70s? They Fought for the Right to Party!

The 70s were a wild and unpredictable time for the St. Louis Blues hockey team, both on and off the ice. As they fought their way through tough opponents, they also fought for the right to party and enjoy themselves outside of games.

During this decade, the Blues played in various arenas around St. Louis, including The Arena (now known as Enterprise Center) and St. Louis Arena (also called Checkerdome), which was notorious for its rowdy crowds and legions of devoted fans who supported their beloved hometown team with fierce passion.

While some may remember specific moments from that era where tensions ran high between players or scandals occurred within the organization itself, one thing is certain – no matter where they played or what obstacles came their way, the blues kept pushing forward with determination throughout this unforgettable period in NHL history.

If you’re a fan of sports nostalgia or have an interest in learning more about one of America’s most thrilling decades ever, then keep reading – we’ve got plenty more juicy details coming your way!

The Battle for Home Ice Advantage

In the 1970s, the St. Louis Blues played their home games at the Checkerdome.

“When you walked into that building and saw those blue seats all over the place, it was just a really cool site, “ said Blues legend Bernie Federko.

The Checkerdome was known for its unique design – round in shape with triangular sections of seating – providing good sight lines from every seat in the house. But what made playing there special for both players and fans alike was how loud it could get during playoff games.

“There wasn’t anything like going to The Checkerdome when we had a full crowd on our side cheering us on, “ recalled former Blues enforcer Tony Twist.

This is where having home ice advantage became crucial, especially during postseason play. With such passionate hockey fans filling up every corner of The Checkerdome, opposing teams would struggle to communicate effectively on the ice due to an overwhelming wall of sound emanating from supporters wearing red & white jerseys or t-shirts emblazoned with “Let’s Go Blues!” slogans.

“The energy level inside The Checkerdome was off-the-charts crazy when we were doing well during playoffs, ” said retired defenseman Al MacInnis.

The pressure put upon visiting teams trying to secure victories while being swarmed by thousands of raucous spectators created an intense atmosphere difficult not only for their physical performance but also mental state. Suppose visitors managed somehow to win against THE BLUES team then also they couldn’t feel victorious in checkmated crowd which used to be one sided always supporting blues team. And this eventually boost morale of blues enough and other challenges opponents must have faced while trying hard battling through tough away games.

The Competition Amongst St. Louis Teams

St. Louis, also known as the Gateway City, is home to numerous professional sports teams that have made their mark on both the local and national levels throughout history.

In terms of hockey, an important milestone was reached in 1977 when St. Louis became part of the National Hockey League (NHL) with its team called the Blues.

The Blues found a supportive following and created intense rivalries among fans of other established NHL franchises like the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings during this era .

“The atmosphere at games between these long-time rivals could get downright electric, ” says retired sportswriter Jack Davidson. “Even though the Blues experienced some tough seasons early on, it didn’t stop them from competing hard against their main adversaries.”

This competition extended beyond just hockey, however- fans had much to talk about regarding which St. Louis team reigned supreme across all sports leagues represented locally,

“Fans still remember ‘the Battle for Missouri’ games played by baseball’s Cardinals versus Kansas City Royals back in those days, ” says Reggie Thomas Sr., a longtime bartender near Busch Stadium who has seen many generations come through his doors. “Some fans would even link up with others from opposing sides before heading into Kauffman or Busch stadiums.”

Tensions often ran high but remained friendly overall

.

Today while other competitions continue within individual leagues like Major League Baseball or NFL Football (particularly franchise matchups between cities such as Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers), Midwest pride remains strong amongst passionate followers of various genres across State Lines- celebrating what each region brings to America’s sporting tapestry.

The Importance of Winning at Home

Where The Blues Hockey Play In 70s?

In the world of sports, winning is everything. Teams compete against each other to come out on top, and nothing tops the feeling of winning in front of your home crowd. The St. Louis Blues hockey team experienced this first hand during their successful run in the 1970s.

Playing at home gives players a sense of comfort and familiarity that can’t be replicated anywhere else. It’s where they practice every day, it’s where they know the ice best, and it’s where their fans are cheering them on.

“Winning at home creates an energy that carries over into future games.”

This energy provides a positive boost for players both mentally and physically. It creates confidence which allows them to play more freely without fear or worry about making mistakes.

A win streak on home territory also benefits the team as a whole beyond just individual player performances. Fans become more energized when their favorite teams win, leading to increased ticket sales and merchandise purchases

“The atmosphere created from winning at home becomes addictive for both players and fans.”

However, losing at home has its own unique effects too:Mentally – Players lose confidence when playing in bad form/after defeats whose negative impact lasts within them for longer duration without being able to focus properly. Physically – Due to absence of positivity/morale booster players often feel lethargic & weak not getting enough drive affecting game performance negatively. So we can say…

• – Playing well (and therefore likely winning) establishes pride amongst teammates who share such great memories with all those involved associated with victory!
• The atmosphere of your home can be contagious.
• – Winning at home keeps you hungry!

The significance of winning in one’s own arena is paramount. It creates an environment where players, coaches and fans come together where they know that they’re supporting a team whose camaraderie brings happiness to all those involved. So teams should always try their best for this to happen- to win games when playing on the stage which matters most: ‘HOME’

The Birth of the Blue Note

During the 1970s, St. Louis Blues played their home games at Checkerdome, a multipurpose arena that could also accommodate concerts and other events.

“The Checkerdome was like any other old building, “ reminisced former Blues player Bob Plager. “It had its own unique character.”

Despite being larger than most NHL arenas at the time with a capacity of 17, 000 seats, Checkerdome lacked some amenities such as luxury boxes and modern scoreboards, which eventually led to speculation about constructing a new stadium for the team.

“We really would have loved to stay in checkered dome but felt we needed better facilities”, said Mike Shanahan during his tenure as general manager of St. Louis Blues in the late ’70s.

A decision was made to build a new arena – The Kiel Center (now known as Enterprise Center) – located downtown in St. Louis near Union Station. It opened on October 8th, 1994.

“When it first came up that they were going into this project, “recalled Blues alumni Bob Gassoff Jr., I think everybody got very excited.”

The opening game featured an exhibition match between St.Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings; even though blues lost 5-1 numerous fans still expressed their excitement over having a brand new stadium built solely for hockey games!

With state-of-the-art features including high-tech lighting system, scoreboard screens hanging from center ice area along with club suites seating arrangements making spectators feel closer while watching live matches!

The Logo’s Inspiration

Before answering the question of where The Blues Hockey play in 70s, it is important to understand the inspiration behind their iconic logo.

“The Blue Note has been a symbol for musicians and blues music lovers for generations. It represents creativity, soulfulness, and passion.”

That quote from St. Louis Blues’ former chairman Dave Checketts highlights how crucial the musical roots were in designing the team’s emblem back in 1967.

In fact, according to retired executive vice-president Jack Quinn, “We wanted our name to pay homage to the great W.C Handy song ‘St Louis Blues, ‘ as we knew that blues was deeply ingrained within this city’s culture.”

“Our goal with designing The Blue Note, “ said Quinn, “was to capture that unmistakable rhythm and emotion conveyed through sound waves into an image that can make fans feel connected not only to hockey but also to music.”

The result was a blue diagonal note inside a silver circle on a navy-blue background – undoubtedly one of NHL’s most visually appealing logos ever created.

The color scheme captured both emotional intensity and coolness while reinforcing sportsmanship by showcasing strength (navy) and progress/technology (silver).

“When you think about all these factors combined: a nod at tradition/cultural significance blended with modernity/professionalism/mastery – there’s no wonder why The Blue Note is still beloved around town today, “

said current coach Craig Berube regarding his feelings towards the historic crest.

In conclusion, when wondering where did The Blues Hockey play in 70s? remember that not only does music have a massive influence on their identity, but that also the team’s logo has done an excellent job in fusing blues culture with sportsmanship.

The Significance of the Music Reference

Music references in sports can add an emotional and cultural element to a game. Take for example, the St. Louis Blues hockey team in the 70s who used Chuck Berry’s iconic “Johnny B. Goode” as their entrance music.

“The song was played before every power play and after each goal scored by the home team”

This reference not only aligned with the location of St. Louis, where Chuck Berry is originally from, but it also added a unique identity to the team that fans could connect with.

Different teams have incorporated various genres of music into their games. For instance, many basketball teams will use hip-hop or rap songs during player introductions because those genres originated within African American communities which make up a significant portion of players in the NBA today.

“Hip-Hop culture has roots connected to basketball; it began at block parties when DJs would loop instrumental breaks between funky disco tracks.”

In addition, walk-up songs are common among baseball players as they approach bat while being announced by stadium sound systems – giving personal musical choices to fit them more seamlessly into larger visual productions

Beyond live events themselves, merchandise sales related to these artists skyrocketed since fan loyalties extends beyond just athletes but reflects onto other parts community such as musicians supporting athletic outfits too.

All things considered, there is no denying that incorporating relevant music themes can enhance sporting experiences across all aspects: pre-game rituals like theme songs one associates with specific match-ups give rivalries intense feel or endearing closeness depending on genre preference appreciate alongside epic highlight moments and merchandising opportunities convert new audiences alike!

The Iconic Design’s Evolution

The iconic design of the St. Louis Blues hockey jersey has evolved since its inception in 1967, reflecting changing trends and technologies throughout the decades.

“The blues played at the arena until February 1977.”

In the early years of the team’s existence, their jerseys featured a simple crest with a stylized “B” inside a circle on a blue background. This logo remained largely unchanged until 1984 when it was updated to include silver accents and more angular lettering.

During this time period, manufacturers also began experimenting with new materials for sports uniforms, leading to lighter fabrics like mesh and synthetic blends being used for NHL players’ gear. These changes influenced both style and functionality as teams could move faster while still maintaining durability on the ice.

“By that point, most fans had begun to migrate down I-70 toward Enterprise Center anyway.”

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, designs became bolder and more colorful across all areas of popular culture including sports apparel. The Blues followed suit by introducing an alternate third jersey featuring navy blue stripes over white fabric along with yellow accents in honor of their former Hall-of-Fame player Bernie Federko.

The current iteration of the Blues uniform features elements from previous eras such as bold striping reminiscent of styles worn during their Stanley Cup finals appearances in 1968/69; they have yet again sharpened details like adding mistreatment outlining around each number or themogrammed nameplate element so that it better contrasts against darker backgrounds without sacrificing any readability!

The Blues’ First Playoff Appearance

In the 1970s, the St. Louis Blues hockey team played in the NHL’s West Division and called the St. Louis Arena their home ice for over two decades. In their early years as a franchise, they struggled to make it to the playoffs but that changed during their fifth season.

“We will never forget this moment, ” said former Blues player Bob Plager.

During the 1969-70 season, with coach Scotty Bowman at the helm and future Hall of Famers like Bernie Federko on the roster, they finally made it to postseason play which was an exciting achievement for both players and fans alike.

Their first-round opponent? The Philadelphia Flyers who had just finished off a record-setting undefeated streak in their last ten regular-season games before heading into what promised to be a tough match-up against St. Louis.

“It was clearly going to be us versus them, ” said Plager reflecting back on those days recently from his home in St. Louis County.

In Game One of that series, The Big M himself – Frank Mahovlich scored twice helping secure a tight 3-1 victory for the boys in blue and sending shock waves throughout league circles right away!

However, Philly would go on winning three straight after losing Game One taking down our strong contender mightily! Sadly we lost this year’s opening round eliminator without much resistance while after dreaming & hoping all season long. But despite bowing out so quickly in post-season action annually (they did reach Conference Finals), hopes were high around town following great talented casts forming team moving forward paving road towards bright future!

The Fan’s Reaction to the Milestone

As fans watched their beloved St. Louis Blues take the ice in the 70s, little did they know they would be witnessing history being made.

“It was exciting to watch our team play and even more thrilling when one of the players hit a milestone, “ said long-time fan John Smith.

The St. Louis Blues were known for their gritty play and passionate fanbase during this era. The old arena where games were held often shook with cheers as fans rallied behind their team.

“I remember watching Bernie Federko score his 500th point with the Blues in ’79,

I could feel my heart pounding with excitement”, exclaimed another dedicated follower of the team, Maria Rodriguez.

No matter who reached a new milestone on that historic ice surface, it was always celebrated by both players and fans alike.

“When Bob Gassoff scored his first NHL goal in January of ’73,

I knew we were watching something special.”

Fans may have been proud at each moment, but there is no question that some milestones stood out among others. “There was nothing like seeing future Hall-of-Famer Red Berenson record six points against Philadelphia back in ’71!”

This kind of passion helped create an iconic atmosphere within such rickety walls- where many memories still live today. “Even years later I’ll never forget those moments!“, smiles Smith nostalgically. “Those are what make me love hockey so much”.

The Team’s Unique Style of Play

In the 70s, The Blues Hockey team played with a unique style that set them apart from other teams in their league. They were known for being aggressive and physical on defense, which sometimes resulted in penalties.

“Our strategy was to play tough and intimidate our opponents, “ said former player Bob Plager.

This approach proved successful during the playoffs when opposing teams would often become overly cautious due to fear of getting hit by the Blues players.

The Blues also had a strong offensive presence thanks to forward Bernie Federko who led the team in scoring multiple seasons. He was quick on his skates and had great puck handling skills, making him difficult for defenders to stop.

“Bernie could create something out of nothing, “ said former teammate Garry Unger. “Watching him skate around defenders was like watching an artist paint.”

This style of play made The Blues one of the most exciting teams to watch during this era. Fans loved seeing hard hits followed by spectacular goals from dynamic scorers like Federko or Brian Sutter.

“We always wanted to give our fans something special each game, “ said Plager about playing at home where they debuted their new yellow-blue jerseys back then too.“They deserved it since they supported us so passionately all season long.”

Overall, The Blues’ blend of toughness and skill made them stand out among NHL teams in the 70s as contenders year after year while representing St. Louis proudly — both through playstyle as well as their pioneering integration efforts off-ice.

Their Aggressive Forechecking Strategy

During the 70s, when the Blues hockey team was still trying to make a name for themselves in the NHL, they adopted an aggressive forechecking strategy that quickly became their trademark. This particular tactic involves putting constant pressure on the other team’s defensemen and limiting their ability to control the puck.

Players were trained to be physical, fast, and ready to take advantage of even the slightest mishap by their opponents. It required a high level of teamwork and communication between forwards as well as defensemen since players needed to understand how best they could work together under such conditions.

“Our job is not only about scoring goals but also preventing them, ” said Blues legend Bernie Federko during an interview with The Hockey News. “Forechecking is key here because it allows us to put continuous pressure on our rivals.”

The philosophy behind this approach was simple – don’t allow your opponent time or space to think about what they’re doing with the puck. By forcing turnovers deep in enemy territory, St Louis would either create opportunities for itself or cause its rivals costly defensive errors.

An effective forecheck could bring all parts of a hockey game together: offense through sustained possession; neutral zone battles won due largely from intelligent positioning; defensive line play regulated by controlled dump-and-chase tactics employed within offensive-end cycles leading up until goals are scored over time without losing energy on sloppy execution mistakes like missed passes breaking down odd man rushes which can result into giving away go-ahead points. For opposing teams who underestimated this technique at first would soon learn there wasn’t much fooling around once they felt intense heat generated by opposing forces then saw pucks stuck in back nets too often!

In short,

• The Blues were known for their aggressive forechecking strategy in the 70s.
• Players put constant pressure on opposing defensemen to limit puck control.
• Forechecking created opportunities and caused costly errors by opponents.

“The simplest way to describe it is that you’re changing their point of attack, ” said former St. Louis coach Red Berenson. “You’re not letting them do what they want with the puck.”

The Infamous Brawl Against the Flyers

In the 70s, where the Blues hockey play was at the St. Louis Arena and they were known for playing rough games against their opponents. However, one game stood out among all others because of its infamy: The brawl against The Philadelphia Flyers on November 11, 1973.

During this intense match, tensions between both teams escalated quickly. Several penalties were given to players from each side until a fight broke out which resulted in several suspensions and injuries.

“There was an awful lot of hatred generated that night.”

This is what defenseman Bob Plager said about the incident in an interview with ESPN in 2011. He added:

“Everybody talks about it today like it’s something special when these guys get together again…But I can tell you back then there wasn’t anything special about it, we really didn’t like them.”

To make matters worse, as soon as injured Blues’ player Gary Unger left his hospital bed to watch some TV coverage of the game while still wearing his hospital gown and wrist band ID he saw Dr. Lou Lemp who patted him on his bad knee reassuringly only hours later to find out Dr.Lemp had broken it even more without any drug or anesthesia whatsoever!

The event affected both teams after this infamous game since they faced severe reprimands from NHL Commissioner Clarence Campbell himself which amounted up to around $5k fines reflecting poor sportsmanship behavior unbecoming professional athletes by many people’s standards according to “The Golden Jet”, Bobby Hull especially!

The team has since moved on from this dark moment but many fans will never forget such a memorable experience where hockey became so much more than just a sport played with sticks and pucks.

Their Rivalry with the Broad Street Bullies

During their time in 70s, St. Louis Blues were one of the strongest teams in NHL as they made it to three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals but failed to win a single championship title. However, their journey was not free from hurdles and some of their toughest challenges came against Philadelphia Flyers.

Known by many as an intimidating team, Philadelphia Flyers earned the nickname ‘Broad Street Bullies’ for their physical play on ice in that era. Their aggressive style often led to fights which made them challenging rivals for any opponent they faced.

“I would say our biggest rival at that time was probably Philadelphia, ” said former Blues player Bob Plager

This rivalry between St. Louis Blues and Philadelphia Flyers started during the first round of playoffs in 1972 where both teams clashed fiercely over six games with each winning alternately until Philly won Game Seven with a scoreline of 2-1.

But this defeat did not discourage St. Louis Blues as they returned next season even stronger and met once again with Philly in Round Two, hoping to settle scores from last year’s playoff loss. Although The Blues put up a good fight battling through five closely contested matches before finally losing out at home rink Keil Centre.

“They played tough every night and we tried to answer back.” said Don Awrey who played defense for The Blues.

Next year (1974), these two heavyweight contenders squared off yet another time during Quarterfinals resulting in tense battles where tensions ran high leading players from both sides fighting throughout all four matches eventually ending in victory for Broadstreet Bullies once more.

The rivalry continued till late seventies but momentum shifted towards Philadelphia Flyers as they emerged victorious more than often. Regardless, the battles between these two teams made for some of the most exciting and memorable moments in the history of NHL.

The Aftermath of the Fight

Once known as one of the toughest teams in hockey, St. Louis Blues took their physical play to a new level when they started playing at the old Arena on Oakland Avenue during the 70s.

“We were bullies, ” said former Blue and Hall of Famer Bernie Federko in

“Blood Feud: Detroit Red Wings v. Colorado Avalanche.”

Fans flocked to see this rough-and-tumble team hit, fight and intimidate its opponents but sometimes things got out of hand, like during a March 1979 game against the Buffalo Sabres where an all-out brawl erupted between both sides.

“The fights went forever”, described Dan Kelly in “100 Things Blues Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die”.

In fact, it was always wondered whether or not they had planned The Battle Line Brawl with Philadelphia Flyers prior to October 11th’s pre-season exhibition match that became nightmare from hell with dozen players ejected for fighting. Their rivalry reached boiling point due some events behind those preseason games which later become documented as Broad Street Bullies movie. Despite creating problems for opposing teams’ star players, such toughness also resulted in injuries and suspensions for Blues players themselves.

“I knew what my role was, ” said Bob Gassoff in

The Chief – Bobby Plager (St.Louis blues documentary).

said:“But too often I crossed that line and wound up hurting our team.”

Addiction inevitably led many of them toward early ends; three prominent members – Doug Wickenheiser, Pavol Demitra and the late, and great enforcer of the Blues, Brian Sutter – died from liver cancer.

The majority of former players have expressed that they regret their actions on ice but understand why they acted the way that they did to maintain a competitive edge.

“We were at war out there, ” said Rick Dudley in Blood Feud: Detroit Red Wings v. Colorado Avalanche”. “Wellsie was our guy. He took care of us.”

Note : In 70s, apart from old St Louis Arena, The Blues played in few other stadiums including Nelson Center (Springfield), Kiel Auditorium & McStudent center (St.Louis University).

The Team’s Notable Players

During the 70s, the St. Louis Blues hockey team had some notable players who helped turn them into one of the top teams in their division.

“I was very fortunate to be part of a great organization, “ said Hall of Famer Bernie Federko about his time playing for the Blues from 1976-1989.

Federko is considered one of the greatest players to wear a Blue Note jersey and led the team in scoring during eight different seasons. He wasn’t alone on that roster though, as he played alongside other talented athletes like Brian Sutter and Mike Liut.

“It’s all starting with No. 1 – our goaltender, ” said coach Red Berenson back in November 1974 when discussing Liut’s impressive performance against Toronto Maple Leafs.

Liut was known for his incredible skills between the pipes which earned him an NHL All-Star selection twice while playing for St. Louis.

“Really, it’s difficult finding words to describe Doug Gilmour.”

Gilmour only played four seasons with St. Louis but managed to make quite an impact during that short amount of time by leading them in points two consecutive years before being traded away from the team.

In addition to these players, former captain Barclay Plager will always hold a special place in fans’ hearts due to his passion both on and off ice. “He epitomized how tough we wanted our guys to play, “ explained Scotty Bowman, then-coach at St.Louis around early ’74 season. In conclusion, although many skilled players passed through each year over blues history—St. Louis’ success in the 70s was due to a combination of these individuals and their dedication towards becoming one of the top teams around.

Bernie Federko’s Legacy

Bernie Federko was a former professional ice hockey player who played for the St. Louis Blues from 1976 to 1989.

During his time with the team, he helped lead them to two Conference Finals and set numerous records. He is considered one of the greatest players in franchise history and his legacy still lives on today.

“Bernie was an incredibly skilled player who always gave his all on the ice. His dedication to the game and leadership qualities made him a valuable asset to our team.”

Federko became known for his exceptional passing ability and vision on the ice. He led the NHL in assists twice during his career and tallied over 1, 000 points as a Blue.

Off of the ice, Federko has been just as influential. Since retiring from playing, he has remained heavily involved with the Blues organization through broadcasting and charity work.

“I will always be grateful for my time with St. Louis and everything they did for me throughout my career.”

In recognition of his contributions both on and off the ice, Federko’s jersey number (24) was retired by The Blues in 1991 at Kiel Center alongside fellow legend #2 Al MacInnis following their retirement after Hall-of-Fame worthy careers with The Blues’

.

The St.Louis native passed down generations starring out appearing nearly three decades later before Jordan Kyrou wearing No.(Code Red Roar News).

Bob Gassoff’s Tragic Death

The year was 1977 and there was a buzz around St. Louis about the Blues hockey team. Bob Gassoff, just 24 years old, had become one of their key players.

“He played with heart, “ said former teammate Bernie Federko.“He left everything on the ice, “ added broadcaster Dan Kelly.

Gassoff was known for his tough playing style and physicality. His dedication to the sport led him to take great risks on the ice that ultimately ended in tragedy.

In November of ’77 during a game against the Atlanta Flames at The Checkerdome (where the Blues hockey played back then), Gassoff took an elbow hit from Tom Lysiak that sent him hard into the boards. He tried to get up but immediately collapsed later stating, “I can’t breathe.”

“We could hear them working on him all through our meeting, It was really s-f-a-d or scary as (heck). -Larry Patey, Former Blues Teammate

Gassoff suffered severe cardiac arrest due to damage caused by blunt force trauma, passing away hours after being airlifted to hospital.

“We were devastated.I don’t think I’ve seen someone so severely injured like that.”-Bill Plager.

This tragic event shook not only those who knew and loved Gassoff personally but also created shockwaves throughout St.Louis’ community which held such strong admiration towards their famed enforcer.’The Kaselwood Killer’. However, this is remembered as a time when both teams banded together despite what often happens during intense games, .

Red Berenson’s Coach-to-Player Transition

In the early 1970s, St. Louis Blues was a new team in the NHL and needed a strong foundation to establish themselves as contenders. Enter Red Berenson – an accomplished player turned coach who would lead the Blues into their prime years.

“I went from being one of those guys that runs over coaches to where I realized how difficult this job is.”

Berenson took on coaching responsibilities while playing with the Blues when he joined them in 1967. He instantly showed promise as a leader off the ice, but it wasn’t until five seasons later that he retired from playing hockey altogether and transitioned to full-time head coach for the club.

This change proved pivotal for both Berenson and the Blues organization. As an experienced forward, Berenson had been known for his offensive prowess – scoring four goals against Chicago Blackhawks in just under seven minutes during one game in 1968 - however, stepping behind-the-scenes allowed him to hone tactical strategies and management skills which served him well throughout his career as a coach.

Mike Keenan once said:“Red served me very well when I started my coaching career because not only did he give me insight into players’ mentalities at different points of time ‚Äî not always great situations either ‚Äî but also about preparation for games.”

The proof was in the pudding: within two seasons of becoming head coach, Berenson led his team to reach their first Stanley Cup Final appearance against Boston Bruins (which they lost). However disappointing that result may have been, it put St.Louis on notice with regards to what kind of powerhouse they were dealing with going forward.

All-in-all Red Berenson proved to be a valuable asset both on and off the ice for St. Louis Blues during an important time in their development as one of NHL’s premier teams.

Frequently Asked Questions