St Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues said play-by-play announcer John Kelly tested positive for the coronavirus.

The team confirmed Kelly began self-quarantining March 13 and that he's "feeling strong and symptom free."

"The health and safety of the entire Blues family remains our core focus during these unprecedented times," the Blues said. "We wish John well as he continues his recovery at home."

The Colorado Avalanche announced Thursday that one of their players tested positive for COVID-19, the third such case in the NHL after the Ottawa Senators confirmed their second positive diagnosis.

Kelly's self-quarantine period began one day after NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman suspended the 2019-20 season because of the ongoing pandemic. The league is on hold until at least mid-May to line up with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommended eight-week halt to events with 50 or more people.

Kelly began working as a Blues commentator in 1989 before leaving after the 1991-92 season. He returned to St. Louis in 2004. He has also called games for the Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers.

After the St. Louis Blues faced criticism Wednesday for being the only NHL team this season to schedule a "Hockey Is For Everyone" night during a road game, a team executive explained the decision.

According to USA Today (h/t ESPN's Greg Wyshynski), Blues Vice President of Media and Brand Communications Mike Caruso said high ticket demand played a role in the choice:

"Due to unprecedented ticket demand and sales following last season's success, we weren't able to execute as many ticket promotions as we have in the past. However, instead of forgoing 'Hockey Is For Everyone' completely, we wanted to brainstorm ways to continue its application.

"That is where the idea of a watch party came in. This allows us to open the entire building—over 18,000 seats—for the event, instead of having just a couple hundred available for a home game. In addition, it afforded us the opportunity to introduce a charitable element where groups can sell tickets as a fundraiser and get $5 of each sale donated back to their organization. We also have the flexibility to completely tailor our game presentation and in-game activations to the HIFE initiative—something we couldn't do at a normal home game due to pre-sold sponsorship/partner elements. Our watch parties garnered national acclaim during the playoffs last season, and we are hoping to duplicate that atmosphere with this year's HIFE event."

Rather than holding a "Hockey Is For Everyone" night during a home game, the Blues will open the Enterprise Center on March 24 for the "first-ever Hockey Is For Everyone Celebration and Watch Party," which will take place during the Blues' road game against the Washington Capitals.

Per NHL.com, the "Hockey Is For Everyone" initiative is about providing a "safe, positive and inclusive environment for players and families regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, disability, sexual orientation and socio-economic status" in hockey.

The Buffalo Sabres are the only team other than the Blues who did not schedule a "Hockey Is For Everyone" or LGBTQIA+ pride event for a home game this season, as the Sabres opted to focus on 50th anniversary celebrations instead, per Wyshynski.

Among those who expressed dismay over the Blues' decision to hold "Hockey Is For Everyone" night during a road game was Pride St. Louis, which released the following statement:

"Pride St. Louis is saddened to hear that the St. Louis Blues have again decided not to openly welcome and support LGBTQIA+ fans in a home game for a Pride Night with the Blues. We ask of the St. Louis Blues a chance to be seen, heard and supported. Other NHL teams still have a Pride night in addition to 'Hockey is for Everyone.' These teams are using their voice to support the diversity between LGBTQIA+, people of color, physical disabilities, and gender diversity, which is inspiring."

The Blues won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history last season, and they are the top team in the Western Conference this season and the No. 2 team in the entire NHL behind only the Boston Bruins.

The "Hockey Is For Everyone" Watch Party, tickets will cost $10, and the Blues announced that proceeds will go to "participating organizations and Blues for Kids."

St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a cardiac episode during a game against the Anaheim Ducks earlier in February.

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said at a press conference Bouwmeester would not play again this season and that St. Louis would evaluate his future with the team later.

"It was a scary thing, but it's been going pretty good lately, and we'll continue to evaluate things as it goes," Bouwmeester said. "I'm at the point now where I feel pretty good."

Bouwmeester collapsed on the bench during a Feb. 11 game against the Ducks. He was revived by a defibrillator and taken to a hospital, where he underwent surgery to implant an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator, which monitors his heart for any arrhythmia.

The 36-year-old is in his 17th NHL season. He previously played for the Florida Panthers and Calgary Flames, making two All-Star teams. In 2019, he won his first Stanley Cup with the Blues to become the 29th member of the Triple Gold Club.

St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester has issued a statement thanking those who helped and supported him following his cardiac episode and letting fans know he is on the mend:

"I would sincerely like to thank all of the trainers from both the St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks, as well as all of the first responders, the Anaheim medical staff and the team at the UCI Medical Center for their quick actions on Feb. 11.

"Our family has felt the support of the entire National Hockey League family and the city of St. Louis during this time. We have all been greatly comforted by your genuine concern.

"On Sunday evening, I returned to St. Louis and I am on the road to recovery. My wife and daughters are forever grateful for everyone's support and we will continue to have a positive outlook for our future."

Bouwmeester collapsed on the bench during last Tuesday's game against the Anaheim Ducks, and Blues president of hockey operations and general manager Doug Armstrong called it a "cardiac episode" in a statement.

Emily Kaplan of ESPN.com noted Bouwmeester "underwent an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator procedure" to restore the heart's normal rhythm. That happened after doctors at the Honda Center used a defibrillator to revive him.

The game, which was tied in the first period, was postponed as a result of the incident.

Pete Blackburn of CBS Sports noted the Blues and Anaheim Ducks will make it up March 11 in a game that will reset the full 60-minute clock but still start with the score tied at one. St. Louis' home game against the Florida Panthers was moved from March 10 to March 9 to accommodate the new makeup date.

Bouwmeester, 36, has been in the league since the 2002-03 campaign and played for the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames and Blues. He has been on the Blues since they acquired him from Calgary via trade in April 2013.

Blackburn suggested that "it's very unlikely he'll play again this season" after being placed on injured reserve.

St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong announced Friday defenseman Jay Bouwmeester underwent a successful surgery to place an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) after suffering a cardiac emergency during Tuesday's game against the Anaheim Ducks.

The procedure took place at the UC Irvine Medical Center in Anaheim, where Bouwmeester will remain for evaluation. Once cleared for release, he'll be flown back to St. Louis' Barnes-Jewish Hospital for monitoring. The team expects to provide a status update next week.

An ICD is used to help restore the heart's normal rhythm.

Tuesday's game between the Western Conference rivals was postponed after the blueliner's medical emergency and will be played at a later date.

Fellow Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo told reporters Wednesday the team was able to FaceTime with Bouwmeester ahead of their game Thursday night against the Vegas Golden Knights.

"I think it was important for me just to see him and for everybody else to see him," Pietrangelo said. "Bouw had his opportunity to kind of see everybody [and] everybody sent him their wishes. I'm not going to speak for everybody, but I think it made everybody feel a lot better knowing he was in good hands. He was in good spirits with us."

Bouwmeester is a 17-year NHL veteran who played for the Florida Panthers, who selected him with the third overall pick in the 2002 draft, and Calgary Flames before joining the Blues in 2013.

His resume includes two All-Star selections and a Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019. He's also been a mainstay for Canada at the international level, capturing five gold medals for his home country (two World Championships, two World Cups and one Olympics).

St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester is recovering well after collapsing on the bench during the first period of Tuesday's game against the Anaheim Ducks. 

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong addressed the situation with reporters: "Jay Bouwmeester is doing very well at the UC Irvine Medical Center in Anaheim. Jay is currently undergoing a battery of tests to determine the how and why of what happened last night, but things are looking very positive." 

Armstrong added Bouwmeester had to be revived using a defibrillator. 

The game was postponed after the 36-year-old went into cardiac arrest on the bench. 

Bouwmeester played six shifts for a total of five minutes and 34 seconds. He didn't take any notable hits to the body or head prior to collapsing. 

Per ESPN's Emily Kaplan, Bouwmeester appeared to be grabbing a drink of water when he started to fall over. Blues teammate Vince Dunn began waving for the training staff to come over. 

"Thankfully, with the quick response of our medical trainers, Anaheim medical trainers and their team physicians, they were able to stabilize Jay," Armstrong said in a statement Tuesday. "He was alert and moving all of his extremities as he was transported to UC Irvine Medical Center. Currently, Jay is conscious and alert as he undergoes further testing by Anaheim's physicians."

A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Bouwmeester is in his 17th NHL season and his eighth with the Blues. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2002 draft by the Florida Panthers, he has also played for the Calgary Flames. The 6'4", 206-pounder has nine points in 56 games this season. 

St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester collapsed on the bench during Tuesday's game against the Anaheim Ducks and was stretchered off.

The Ducks announced: "There was a medical emergency near the Blues bench. A Blues player was taken into the dressing room, and the game is currently delayed."

Blues president of hockey operations and general manager Doug Armstrong released the following statement regarding the "cardiac episode" after the game was postponed:

"With 7:50 remaining in the first period of our game tonight, Jay Bouwmeester suffered a cardiac episode and collapsed on our bench after completing his shift. Thankfully, with the quick response of our medical trainers, Anaheim medical trainers and their team physicians, they were able to stabilize Jay. He was alert and moving all of his extremities as he was transported to UC Irvine Medical Center. Currently, Jay is conscious and alert as he undergoes further testing by Anaheim's physicians. We will update Jay's condition on Wednesday morning."

According to Eric Stephens of The Athletic, someone with NHL security said both teams agreed to postpone the game, which was tied at one in the first period, with "major concern regarding Jay Bouwmeester."

There will be a decision regarding a makeup date "in the near future," per NHL Public Relations.

Fox Sports Midwest noted one of the Blues players was taken away from the bench on a stretcher, and Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reported the replay showed that it was Bouwmeester who appeared to collapse on the bench.

SiriusXM NHL Radio provided an update, noting the Blues' broadcast said the defenseman was "awake on his way to the hospital."

Bouwmeester is a 36-year-old veteran who has been in the league since the 2002-03 season and played for the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames and Blues.

Four months after capturing the first Stanley Cup title in franchise history, the St. Louis Blues were honored by President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday. 

Fresh off playing in New York on Monday night, the Blues made the journey to Washington D.C., where Trump spoke about their accomplishments from last season:

The president also got in a joke with goalie Jordan Binnington about allowing one goal in the series-clinching 4-1 victory in Game 7 against the Boston Bruins:

While everyone was in the Rose Garden, Blues head coach Craig Berube got to say a few words, and chairman Tom Stillman presented Trump with his own custom jersey:

St. Louis made history last season after falling into last place in the NHL standings on Jan. 3 by going on a 30-10-5 to finish the regular season, making the playoffs and knocking off the Bruins in seven games in the Stanley Cup Final. 

The St. Louis Blues locked up Brayden Schenn with an eight-year contract extension on Friday, and now they are turning their attention toward captain Alex Pietrangelo.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the 29-year-old defenseman's camp "should have an opportunity to move forward with talks on a new deal" ahead of the team's game in Toronto on Monday night. 

Friedman added more context on Hockey Night in Canada: 

"[Pietrangelo's] agents, Newport, are based in Toronto — it is expected they will meet with the GM, Doug Armstrong and we'll see if this gets to a critical stage. ... 

"It is believed the Blues want him around Oliver Ekman-Larsson's number, which is eight [years] times $8.25 million. But if Pietrangelo was to go to unrestricted free agency, he'd do very well."

The 2019-20 NHL season, which began Wednesday, is the final year of Pietrangelo's seven-year, $45.5 million deal. Per Spotrac, he is owed a $7.5 million base salary that carries a $6.5 million cap hit.

The 6'3", 210-pound Pietrangelo scored his first goal of the season in the Blues' regular-season opener against the Washington Capitals. During St. Louis' Stanley Cup playoff run last season, ending with the franchise's first championship, his 16 assists were tied with Boston's Torey Krug for the most during the 2019 postseason. 

In the 2018-19 regular season, Pietrangelo recorded 41 points (13 goals, 28 assists), which was the two-time All-Star's lowest mark since 2015-16. His most productive campaign with 54 points (15 goals, 39 assists) in 2017-18. 

Pietrangelo has spent his entire career in St. Louis since the Blues selected him fourth overall in the 2008 draft.

The St. Louis Blues and All-Star center Brayden Schenn have agreed to terms on a new long-term contract extension. 

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong announced Friday that Schenn's deal will be worth $52 million over eight years. 

Schenn was in the final season of a four-year, $20.5 million contract he signed with the Philadelphia Flyers in July 2016. 

St. Louis opened the 2019-20 campaign trying to figure out what to do about Schenn and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, who is also in the last year of his deal.

The reigning Stanley Cup champions projected to have $17.4 million in cap space next season prior to Schenn's extension, per Spotrac. 

Since being acquired by the Blues in June 2017, Schenn has become an integral part of the team's success. The 28-year-old had a career-high 70 points during his first season in St. Louis. He followed that up by racking up 12 points in 26 playoff games last season to help the franchise win its first-ever Stanley Cup title.