2023-09-19 14:39:45
Brayden Schenn was named captain of the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old forward replaces Ryan O’Reilly, who was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 17.
He joins a list of Blues captains that includes Red Berenson, Bob Plager, Bernie Federko, Brett Hull, Chris Pronger, Al MacInnins, Alex Pietrangelo and Wayne Gretzky.
“I don’t think I’ve fully realized it yet, to be honest,” Schenn told the Blues website. The history of this team, the great captains it has had, and to see my name added to this extraordinary list, it is a huge honor and I am fully grateful. I’m looking forward to this challenge. »
Schenn served as an assistant captain for the previous three seasons.
He is entering his seventh season with the Blues, having been acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers on June 23, 2017. He has 341 points (131 goals, 210 assists) in 425 games with St. Louis, including a career high of 70 points (28 goals, 42 assists) in 82 games in 2017-18.
Schenn had 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 26 games to help the Blues win the Stanley Cup in 2019.
He said he learned he would be given the honor last Wednesday during a meeting with general manager Doug Armstrong.
“Honestly, my initial reaction was to realize what a huge honor this is,” Schenn noted. I’ve always said, St. Louis is the best thing that ever happened to me. To have the chance to play here to play there, to win the Stanley Cup and now [d’être nommé capitaine] … This is an opportunity to pull together to get back to where we think we can go as an organization. I look forward to the challenge and the chance to lead this team. »
Drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the first round (fifth overall) in 2009, Schenn has 589 points (240 goals, 349 assists) in 858 regular season games with the Blues, Flyers and Kings as well as 40 points (11 goals, 29 assists) in 75 playoff games.
Schenn is the third player to be named captain of an NHL team this month, following Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks (September 11) and Adam Lowry of the Winnipeg Jets (September 12).
Justin Faulk, Colton Parayko and Robert Thomas were named alternate captains.
“They are all important guys,” said coach Craig Berube. They represent this team very well and they provide leadership to our team by committee. Its very important. These guys will help Schenner as they all work towards the same goal.
“As far as Schenn is concerned, he will remain the same player. He’s going to have more responsibilities, for sure, that come with being captain, he’ll have to do a few more things, but he’s ready for that. »
Seven NHL teams are still without a captain: the Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers and Seattle Kraken.
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