Our “Best Blue By Sweater Number” series is entering the final four. Through the first 60, we have seen some greats, some fan favourites, some forgotten names, and a number that has not been worn yet. Today, we take a look at the best St. Louis Blue to wear numbers 61-70.
Best St. Louis Blues by Sweater Number: 61-70
#61 Cory Stillman (Forward)
Stillman played three seasons for the Blues from 2000-2003. He recorded 119 points in 171 games. This included a 23-goal season in 2001-02 and 24 goals in 2002-03. Furthermore, Stillman scored a big goal in the 2001 Western Conference Semifinal. Up in the series 2-0 against the heavily-favoured Dallas Stars, game three went to double overtime. Stillman scored the game-winning goal, giving the Blues the win and a 3-0 series lead. The Blues would complete a sweep of the Stars in game four.
Stillman’s trade from the Blues included one more contribution to the franchise. The Blues used the draft pick they acquired to draft one of the team’s most popular captains, David Backes.
#62 Martin Rucinsky (Forward)
Rucinsky had two different stints with the Blues, wearing three different numbers as well. His best season came when he wore number 62 in the 2002-03 season. In 61 games that year, Rucinsky scored 16 goals and added 14 assists. Furthermore, the forward averaged just under 20 minutes a game.
After some years away, Rucinsky returned to St. Louis for the 2006-07 season. In addition, he played the following year with the team. Rucinsky played fine in those seasons. However, the Blues were in rebuilding mode. In order to make room for upcoming youngsters like Patrik Berglund and T.J. Oshie, the Blues elected to not re-sign Rucinsky following the 2007-08 season. In 153 games with the Blues, Rucinsky scored 33 goals.
#63 Jake Neighbours (Forward)
Neighbours just completed his first full NHL season. In the process, he also had his breakout season. Neighbours scored 27 goals and would have scored 30 if not for a late-season injury. His season certainly showcased what was described in his scouting report. Neighbours used his size to make plays and would go in front of the net for the loose puck.
Entering this coming season, it will be interesting to see how Neighbours performs now that he is expected to score. Furthermore, the 22-year-old is an X-factor to the Blues success in the 2024-25 season.
Another day, another Jake Neighbours goal. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/Lye9tHxhcR
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) March 22, 2024
#64 Sammy Blais (Forward)
Like Ruckinsky, Blais has had two different stints with the Blues, wearing three different numbers. His career high in goals (nine) came in the 2022-23 season, the season he returned to the Blues in the Vladimir Tarasenko trade.
Blais’s biggest contributions to the Blues came in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Blais provided a physical presence in the Blues lineup. Head coach Craig Berube used Blais on the team’s second line alongside Ryan O’Reilly and David Perron. In game six of the second round, Blais scored a memorable breakaway goal against Ben Bishop. Blais took a pass from O’Reilly. Realizing Bishop was injured from a prior shot attempt by Colton Parayko, Blais opted to take a slap shot, figuring Bishop’s reaction would be impaired. The assumption was correct.
#65 Alexey Toropchenko (Forward)
In his rookie season, Toropchenko wore number 65 but has worn number 13 ever since. Last season, Toropchenko played in all 82 games for the first time. Furthermore, he set a career-high with 14 goals.
It will be interesting to see Toropchenko’s role this year. The Blues have many bottom-six options. Based off last season, Toropchenko would seem to be pencilled into the lineup at the beginning of training camp. Nonetheless, a strong camp and preseason will help his case.
#66
No Blue has worn number 66. It is also unlikely anyone ever will. Teams have agreed to unofficially retire the number in honour of legend Mario Lemieux. There have been some exceptions, but do not expect to see a number 66 on the back of a Blues sweater unless a fan has one custom-made.
#67
No Blue has worn the number 67 in regular-season play, which is a requirement for this list. Sorry, Michael Frolik.
#68 Mike Hoffman (Forward)
With Vladimir Tarasenko‘s availability in question for the 2021 season, the Blues brought in Hoffman for additional offence. Hoffman scored 17 goals for the Blues. He did what the Blues were needing. There was some interest in bringing Hoffman back after the season, but he ultimately left in free agency.
#69
No Blue has worn number 69.
#70 Oskar Sundqvist (Forward)
When the Blues traded Ryan Reaves in 2017, fans were more interested in the first-round pick they were getting in return. Few paid any attention to Sundqvist. However, Sundvqist established himself as a legitimate defensive centre in 2019. Sundqvist went on to centre a shutdown line for the Blues en route to winning the Stanley Cup.
Sundqvist was traded from the Blues at the 2022 trade deadline. However, his love for the Blues never left him, as he made an appearance as a fan at one of the Blues playoff games that season. Furthermore, Sundqvist returned to play for the Blues prior to the 2023-24 season. Sundqvist will return to the Blues next season after signing an extension in March.
“I wanted to be part of the team and turning the ship around. For me personally, I didn’t want to abandon it.”
Hear from Oskar Sundqvist after he signed his two-year contract extension. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/ofZD1DTQUQ
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) March 7, 2024
A Forward-Heavy List
For the first time in this series, we had one position take every spot. Looking ahead, we may see that again at least once.
Until Next Time
Next week, we will take a look at sweater numbers 71-80. This will be a fun list. Multiple fan favourites and maybe even a Hall of Famer will be making an appearance.
Main Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
