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Although the St. Louis Blues weren’t on the ice at the time, they were significantly represented at the 2020 Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) Awards. For 49 years, only members of the MAC had the privilege of voting for the annual honors. However, in 2020, on the 50th anniversary of the awards, the format changed, and the Blues certainly took full advantage of the opportunity.
St. Louis is widely recognized as the quintessential baseball town, and typically, baseball stories tend to dominate headlines, especially during the offseason. But in recent years, Blues fans have become more involved in the voting process, helping players like David Perron secure an All-Star spot in 2020. In the 2020 MAC awards, the Blues had a high number of representatives included as part of the Top 50 St. Louis Sports Personalities of the Past 50 Years. A total of 13 Blues players were honored in this prestigious list, which was a significant achievement for the franchise.
https://www.stlouisfanshop.com/124-Cardi...zio_Jersey
The player most associated with the Blues, Brett Hull, was named the top personality of the past five decades. Beyond his time with the Blues, Hull embodied what it meant to represent the city. While the St. Louis Cardinals have often garnered more fan popularity due to their legacy, the Blues, particularly Hull, made a major impact on the city’s sports culture. Hull was known for his candid and outspoken personality, and while some might have found him brash, his goal-scoring prowess and infectious smile won over many.
Hull’s feuds, especially with then-coach Mike Keenan, were well-documented and publicly contentious, but his loyalty to teammates was undeniable. He defended players who received little playing time, like Tony Twist, Kelly Chase, and Brendan Shanahan, showing a side of him that was more about camaraderie than controversy. One thing’s for sure, Hull made hockey more relevant in St. Louis. Without him, the Blues might not have the rich history and loyal fanbase they do today.
Hull’s position as the franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer solidifies his legacy. He remains a central figure in Blues history, and his influence on the team and the city cannot be understated. Of course, while baseball will always dominate in St. Louis, Blues fans continue to hold Hull in high regard.
In terms of recent players, Ryan O'Reilly—despite only playing two seasons with the Blues—has already risen to significant prominence in the St. Louis sports scene. Helping lead the team to their first Stanley Cup championship certainly earned him a spot on the list, ranking 8th among the top 50. It’s also worth noting that O'Reilly was noted for wearing a specific hat during the Cup run, which added to his iconic status.
Other Blues players who made the list include Bernie Federko (23rd), Alex Pietrangelo (11th), and Vladimir Tarasenko (14th). Craig Berube came in at 15th, with Al MacInnis right behind at 17th. Notably, Chris Pronger (26th) had more of a presence off the ice, though his on-ice reputation made him a memorable figure. Bob Plager, another notable Blues personality, ranked 30th. Jordan Binnington, thanks to his role in the Stanley Cup win, found himself at 31st, while other important figures like Kelly Chase (33rd), Brendan Shanahan (34th), Curtis Joseph (42nd), and Garry Unger (43rd) also made their mark. Finally, Keith Tkachuk rounded out the list at 50th.
A name that might have been overlooked is broadcaster Ken Wilson, who didn’t have the widespread fame of others but played an important role in the team’s history. Many early Blues players, including some heavyweights from past teams, were not featured on the list, though the online voting format likely skewed toward a younger demographic.
In the grand scheme of things, having 13 Blues representatives on the list out of 50 is a great achievement for the franchise, especially considering the long and rich history of the Cardinals and the dominance of football in the U.S. Given that there are no standout WJC prospects for 2021, it’s encouraging to see so many Blues players in the top half of the list.
Who would you have added to the list of the Top 50 St. Louis Sports Personalities? Let us know your thoughts! You can find the complete list here.
St. Louis is widely recognized as the quintessential baseball town, and typically, baseball stories tend to dominate headlines, especially during the offseason. But in recent years, Blues fans have become more involved in the voting process, helping players like David Perron secure an All-Star spot in 2020. In the 2020 MAC awards, the Blues had a high number of representatives included as part of the Top 50 St. Louis Sports Personalities of the Past 50 Years. A total of 13 Blues players were honored in this prestigious list, which was a significant achievement for the franchise.
https://www.stlouisfanshop.com/124-Cardi...zio_Jersey
The player most associated with the Blues, Brett Hull, was named the top personality of the past five decades. Beyond his time with the Blues, Hull embodied what it meant to represent the city. While the St. Louis Cardinals have often garnered more fan popularity due to their legacy, the Blues, particularly Hull, made a major impact on the city’s sports culture. Hull was known for his candid and outspoken personality, and while some might have found him brash, his goal-scoring prowess and infectious smile won over many.
Hull’s feuds, especially with then-coach Mike Keenan, were well-documented and publicly contentious, but his loyalty to teammates was undeniable. He defended players who received little playing time, like Tony Twist, Kelly Chase, and Brendan Shanahan, showing a side of him that was more about camaraderie than controversy. One thing’s for sure, Hull made hockey more relevant in St. Louis. Without him, the Blues might not have the rich history and loyal fanbase they do today.
Hull’s position as the franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer solidifies his legacy. He remains a central figure in Blues history, and his influence on the team and the city cannot be understated. Of course, while baseball will always dominate in St. Louis, Blues fans continue to hold Hull in high regard.
In terms of recent players, Ryan O'Reilly—despite only playing two seasons with the Blues—has already risen to significant prominence in the St. Louis sports scene. Helping lead the team to their first Stanley Cup championship certainly earned him a spot on the list, ranking 8th among the top 50. It’s also worth noting that O'Reilly was noted for wearing a specific hat during the Cup run, which added to his iconic status.
Other Blues players who made the list include Bernie Federko (23rd), Alex Pietrangelo (11th), and Vladimir Tarasenko (14th). Craig Berube came in at 15th, with Al MacInnis right behind at 17th. Notably, Chris Pronger (26th) had more of a presence off the ice, though his on-ice reputation made him a memorable figure. Bob Plager, another notable Blues personality, ranked 30th. Jordan Binnington, thanks to his role in the Stanley Cup win, found himself at 31st, while other important figures like Kelly Chase (33rd), Brendan Shanahan (34th), Curtis Joseph (42nd), and Garry Unger (43rd) also made their mark. Finally, Keith Tkachuk rounded out the list at 50th.
A name that might have been overlooked is broadcaster Ken Wilson, who didn’t have the widespread fame of others but played an important role in the team’s history. Many early Blues players, including some heavyweights from past teams, were not featured on the list, though the online voting format likely skewed toward a younger demographic.
In the grand scheme of things, having 13 Blues representatives on the list out of 50 is a great achievement for the franchise, especially considering the long and rich history of the Cardinals and the dominance of football in the U.S. Given that there are no standout WJC prospects for 2021, it’s encouraging to see so many Blues players in the top half of the list.
Who would you have added to the list of the Top 50 St. Louis Sports Personalities? Let us know your thoughts! You can find the complete list here.