The St. Louis Blues history reflects a proud legacy in the St. Louis Blues NHL era, showcasing decades of passion, rivalries, and remarkable achievements. Since their founding, the Blues have become a staple of professional hockey, thrilling fans with unforgettable moments and competitive performances that highlight the team’s enduring presence in the National Hockey League.
Established
1967
City
St. Louis
League History
1967 – Present / National Hockey League
Team History
1967 – Present / St. Louis Blues
Nickname
Blues – The St. Louis Blues are one of the most iconic teams in the NHL, and their nickname is integral to their identity. But where did this beloved moniker come from?
The name “Blues” originates from the city’s musical heritage. In 1927, WSM radio station DJ George Hay introduced The Grand Ole Opry, featuring blues music from local artists like WC Handy and Ma Rainey. After becoming popular with listeners around town, Hay referred to his program as “the bluest music this side of heaven." This phrase became associated with St. Louis and was eventually adopted by hockey fans when they started referring to their team as "the Blues."
St. Louis Blues Origin
In 1967, when St Louis was awarded an expansion franchise for the National Hockey League (NHL), it seemed only natural that they would adopt "The Blues" as their official nickname - a tribute to the city's vibrant musical history and passionate sports fans alike! Since then, The Blue has become synonymous with hard-nosed style play on ice that embodies all things great about hockey in America's heartland: grit, determination, toughness, loyalty, commitment, passion respect - all qualities embodied by loyal supporters who proudly wear blue every game day!
So next time you cheer on your favorite team at Enterprise Center or watch them battle opponents across North America, remember why we call them 'THE BLUES' – because it genuinely reflects everything unique about our beloved franchise!
Championship
Stanley Cup 1
2019
Arena
2019 - Present / Enterprise Center
2007 – 2018 / Scottrade Center
2000 – 2006 / Savvis Center
1994 – 2000 / Kiel Center
1967 – 1994 / St. Louis Arena
Owner
2012 – Present / St. Louis Blues Hockey Club, Inc.
2005 – 2012 / Dave Checketts
1999 – 2005 / Bill Laurie and Nancy Walton Laurie
1986 – 1999 / Michael Shanahan, Sr.
1983 – 1986 / Harry Ornest
1977 – 1983 / Ralston Purina
1967 – 1977 / Sid Salomon, Jr., Sid Salomon III, and Robert Wolfson
- 1967
- 1977
- 1983
- 1994
- 2005
- 2019
-
St. Louis Blues Team Formation
The Blues were one of the six teams added to the NHL in the 1967 expansion, along with the Minnesota North Stars, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and California Seals. St. Louis was the last of the six expansion teams to gain entry into the league, chosen over Baltimore at the insistence of the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks ... -
Ralston Purina Ownership
In the meantime, the franchise was on the brink of financial collapse. This was partly due to the pressures of the World Hockey Association, but mostly the result of financial decisions made when the Salomons first acquired the franchise. Deferred contracts came due just as the Blues’ performance began to slip. At one point, the Salomons cut the team’s staff ... -
Harry Ornest Ownership
Purina lost an estimated $1.8 million a year during its six-year ownership of the Blues, but took the losses philosophically, having taken over out of a sense of civic responsibility. In 1983, Purina’s longtime chairman, R. Hal Dean, retired. His successor wanted to refocus on the core pet food business and had no interest in hockey. He saw the Blues ... -
Kiel Center Opens
They also provided the capital to build the Kiel Center (now the Scottrade Center), which opened in 1994. Scottrade Center (originally Kiel Center and formerly Savvis Center) is a 19,150 seat arena located in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, which opened in 1994. It is the home of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. -
St. Louis Blues Hockey Club, Inc. Ownership
Amid several questionable personnel moves and an unstable ownership situation, the Blues finished the 2005 – 2006 season with their worst record in 27 years. They missed the playoffs for only the fourth time in franchise history. Also, for the first time in club history, the normally excellent support seen by St. Louisans began to fade away, with crowds normally ... -
Stanley Cup Winner 2018 – 2019
The 2019 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) 2018 – 2019 season and the culmination of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Western Conference champion St. Louis Blues defeated the Eastern Conference champion Boston Bruins four games to three to win their first championship, in their 51st season of play, ending the third-longest ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
St. Louis Blues History
The St. Louis Blues history is one of the richest and most admired in the National Hockey League. Founded in 1967 as part of the NHL’s expansion from six to twelve teams, the franchise quickly became an essential part of the St. Louis Blues NHL tradition. From their long playoff runs to iconic rivalries, especially with the Chicago Blackhawks, the Blues have built a passionate fanbase and remain a cornerstone of professional hockey.
In the early years of the St. Louis Blues history, the team faced typical growing pains but steadily gained momentum. Under head coach Scotty Bowman from 1968 to 1977, the Blues qualified for the playoffs every season during that span and captured four division titles. Legendary players like Doug Gilmour and Bernie Federko became fan favorites. Federko’s 1,027 points between 1976 and 1990 set a franchise record until Brett Hull surpassed it, marking a new era in the St. Louis Blues NHL journey.
The pinnacle of the St. Louis Blues history arrived in 2019 when General Manager Doug Armstrong and Coach Craig Berube guided the team to its first-ever Stanley Cup championship. The Blues defeated the Boston Bruins in a thrilling six-game series, winning the decisive match 4–1 and creating a historic moment for the city. Fans proudly celebrated this milestone with chants of “Let’s Go Blues” echoing through St. Louis, cementing the team’s legendary status in the St. Louis Blues NHL narrative.
Blues Achievements and Legacy
Beyond the Stanley Cup triumph, the St. Louis Blues history includes numerous division titles, multiple playoff appearances, and producing some of the NHL’s greatest stars. Players like Brett Hull, Al MacInnis, and Chris Pronger elevated the team’s profile, with many earning Hall of Fame honors. Their contributions defined eras and kept the Blues competitive across decades of St. Louis Blues NHL play.
Today, the Blues continue to build on their proud heritage with a talented roster and strong leadership. Consistent playoff appearances, a dedicated fan base, and ongoing community involvement show that the St. Louis Blues NHL franchise is still thriving. As they look to the future, the team’s achievements and traditions ensure the St. Louis Blues history remains one of the most celebrated stories in professional hockey.
Sports Fan Products
The Ultimate St. Louis Blues Mount Rushmore | From Brett Hull to Bernie Federko
The legendary history of the St. Louis Blues to reveal the Mount Rushmore of Blues legends - the four greatest players who have defined this storied NHL franchise. From Brett "The Golden Brett" Hull's incredible goal-scoring prowess and record-breaking 86-goal season
Retired Number
2 / Al MacInnis
3 / Bob Gassoff
5 / Bob Plager
8 / Barclay Plager
11 / Brian Sutter
16 / Brett Hull
24 / Bernie Federko
99 / Wayne Gretzky
*Blue is this team’s history
