Bob Plager, an original member of the St. Louis Blues who became a fan favorite for his physical style of play, and the many roles he filled with the team after retirement, died Wednesday. He was 78.
He was the last surviving member of the Blues' three Plager brothers, all of whom helped define the early years of the franchise, which entered the NHL in 1967.
"It is unimaginable to imagine the St. Louis Blues without Bobby Plager," the Blues said in a statement on their website. "He was an original 1967 member of the St. Louis Blues, but also an original in every sense of the word. Bobby's influence at all levels of the Blues organization was profound and everlasting, and his loss to our city will be deep."
Plager ranks 10th in Blues history with 616 games played and 762 penalty minutes. He retired in 1978 having played 645 NHL games for the New York Rangers (29) and Blues (616), scoring 146 points (20 goals, 126 assists) with 800 penalty minutes. His No. 5 is one of seven numbers retired by the Blues.
Bob's older brother, Barclay, played 10 seasons for St. Louis from its first NHL season in 1967-68 through 1976-77 and remained with the organization after his playing days in various roles, twice serving as coach, until his death in 1988 from a cancerous brain tumor.
Bill Plager, the youngest of the brothers, played four of his nine NHL seasons with the Blues from 1968-69 through 1971-72, and died in 2016.
Bob Plager had been working with the Blues in their community relations department, beneath his bushy beard one of the most recognizable and beloved figures in the organization. He also served as an analyst on KMOX radio during Blues home games and on postgame shows.
No one was happier for the Blues' 2019 Stanley Cup championship than Plager, who lit up TD Garden ice in Boston when the team won its first title. The last player had taken a victory lap on the ice that night when Bill Armstrong, the Blues' assistant GM and director of amateur scouting, handed the trophy to Plager, his eyes brimming with tears as he pressed the Cup overhead.
A couple of months later with GM Doug Armstrong, Plager would take the Stanley Cup to the St. Louis grave of Barclay, pouring an emotional beer toast to his brother.
Like Barclay, Bob served in many capacities with the Blues after his playing career. He was named the team's 16th coach on May 1, 1992, coaching the team for 11 games (4-6 with one tie) to start the 1992-93 season. He coached Peoria in the International Hockey League in 1990-91, winning the Turner Cup championship. Plager earned coach of the year honors.
There were few areas of the Blues organization that didn't bear his fingerprints. Plager was the team's director of professional scouting, vice president and director of player development, a special assistant to the Blues general manager, assistant to the director of hockey operations, coach for the Blues' Central Hockey League Salt Lake City affiliate, and was a scout for St. Louis, handling special assignments.
"Few men in the history of our game were more closely connected to a city and a franchise than Bob Plager was to St. Louis and the Blues," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "... Respected by fellow players for his toughness, he was beloved by teammates for his welcoming personality and forged a fierce bond with St. Louis fans that would last his entire life. The National Hockey League family mourns the tragic passing of a true St. Louis original and send our condolences to his daughter, Melissa, his son, Bobby, his two grandchildren and his countless fans in St. Louis and throughout hockey."
Born March 11, 1943 in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Plager arrived with the Blues for their inaugural season with thunder in his hips and a chip on his shoulder, his ruggedness established by his having set the major-junior Ontario Hockey Association record for penalty minutes, breaking the standard previously held by Barclay.
Plager, a defenseman, had played 29 games for the New York Rangers before 1967 expansion, and traded to the Blues by the Rangers on June 6, 1967 with Gary Sabourin, Tim Ecclestone and Gord Kannegiesser for defenseman Rod Seiling.
For more than a decade with the Blues, Plager rattled the opposition with tremendous bodychecks, his hip-checks feared throughout the League, and a fearlessness to drop his gloves against anybody.
Plager was a large part of the reason why the Blues went to the Stanley Cup Final their first three seasons, swept in 1968 and 1969 by the Montreal Canadiens, then in 1970 by the Boston Bruins.
"I'm saddened beyond words," said former goalie Glenn Hall, the Blues' first selection in the 1967 expansion draft and a dear friend of Plager on and off the ice. "Bob was such an important part of the success those first Blues teams enjoyed. He brought the guys together and was so instrumental in keeping the dressing room loose. We stayed in touch over the years and it was always so enjoyable to be in his company. I send my deepest condolences to Bob's family, his fans and the Blues organization."
Plager opened a restaurant in St. Louis and once was named the team's best-groomed player. His practical joking left no one untouched, from Blues management through every player on the roster, including his brothers.
"Bobby liked to say he was No. 5 in our program, but No. 1 in our hearts," the Blues said in their statement. "Today, our hearts are broken, but one day they will be warmed again by memories of his character, humor and strong love for his family, our community, the St. Louis Blues and generations of fans who will miss him dearly.
"The St. Louis Blues send all of our love and support to his family, and we hope everyone will find strength knowing that Bobby got his parade."
Photos: HHoF Images
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Bob Plager dies at 78, original member of Blues - NHL.com
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