When the St. Louis Blues take the ice inside the Enterprise Center, eight numbers hang above them. These numbers tell the story of the franchise. The greatest stars, beloved leaders, and players whose impact went beyond the box score are immortalized in the rafters of the Blues’ home arena. When the time is right, who will become the ninth player to have their number retired? We have an idea of who that could be.
The Next Blues’ Retired Number
What the Rafters Tell Us Now
The Blues do not have a set of criteria for retiring numbers. Their selections generally honor players who have made significant contributions to the team and the sport, often including Hall of Fame induction and/or long-standing service as team leaders and ambassadors.
Some players embody multiple parts. Bernie Federko is a Hall of Fame forward and holds several all-time records. Furthermore, he remains an active presence in the Blues community, serving as both a former broadcaster and a current analyst for the Blues TV broadcast. Bob and Barclay Plager are not in the Hall of Fame, but were core members of the original Blues’ team and held coaching positions with the organization in retirement.
So, who out there fits this criteria? Who has made significant contributions to the team and has a long-standing service on the team and within the organization?
The Next Retired Number
The player we are predicting is actually due to become the next general manager of the team. That is right. We think forward Alexander Steen will be the next Blue to have his number retired.
Steen came to the Blues in a 2008 trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs. After initially being a role player, Steen developed into a scorer. In his first full season with the Blues, he scored 24 goals. In the 2013-14 season, Steen scored 33 goals. When the goals started to decline, Steen became a strong defensive forward for the Blues. Furthermore, Steen helped the Blues win their first Stanley Cup in 2019.
In retirement, Steen’s role with the Blues has changed to the front office. Starting in a player development role, Steen will soon hold the reins to the team. Stee
Steen Meets the Criteria
Significant Contributions
From 2008 to 2020, Steen appeared in 765 regular-season games with the Blues. He currently ranks in the top 10 in games played, goals, assists, and points. While he was never a league leader, Steen was consistent, playing anywhere in the lineup, killing penalties (and scoring game-winning short-handed goals in the playoffs), driving the offence, or shutting down an opponent’s top line.
Steen’s ability to change his game as he got older was one of his greatest strengths. In his prime, he was a dependable 20-goal scorer with a lethal wrist shot. As budding stars and newcomers took over the offence, Steen embraced a more defensive and mentoring role.
Steen was never the captain, but he was still a leader. He helped shape the atmosphere in the locker room and led by example. Steen’s impact on the Blues was demonstrated when they raised the Stanley Cup banner. Steen was given the honour of carrying the Clarence Campbell Bowl onto the ice, being introduced as the “longest-tenured Blue.”
Long-Standing Service
He was a role player. Then, he was a scorer. He then became a strong defender for a Stanley Cup-winning team. Steen has worn many hats for the Blues. As we mentioned earlier, he will wear one more soon as the next general manager.
Since retirement, Steen has continued to help shape the future of the Blues, from player development to his current role alongside general manager Doug Armstrong. When he officially becomes general manager, Steen will look to build the next championship Blues team.
Steen’s post-playing involvement within the organization is a trend we have seen from other former players whose numbers have been retired. Furthermore, his continued presence will only strengthen the case to have his number 20 raised to the rafters.
Closing Argument
The Blues have only retired eight numbers over the last 50 years. Steen’s Blues career matches the contributions of players like Bob Plager and Brian Sutter. Furthermore, Steen’s fingerprints are all over the franchise’s only championship.
Others also have cases to have their numbers retired by the Blues. Pierre Turgeon and Keith Tkachuk are names that come to mind. One of them may get the honour next. When it is all said and done, however, one day, Steen’s number 20 will be making its way to the rafters of Enterprise Center.
Main Photo: Winslow Townson- Imagn Images
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