1996–97 St. Louis Blues season

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1996–97 St. Louis Blues
Division4th Central
Conference6th Western
1996–97 record36–35–11
Home record17–20–4
Road record19–15–7
Goals for236
Goals against239
Team information
General managerMike Keenan (Oct-Dec)
Ron Caron (Dec-Apr)
CoachMike Keenan (Oct-Dec)
Jim Roberts (Dec-Jan)
Joel Quenneville (Jan-Apr)
CaptainVacant
ArenaKiel Center
Average attendance16,806
Minor league affiliate(s)Worcester IceCats
Baton Rouge Kingfish
Team leaders
GoalsBrett Hull (42)
AssistsPierre Turgeon (49)
PointsBrett Hull (82)
Penalty minutesMike Peluso (158)
Plus/minusChris Pronger (+15)
WinsGrant Fuhr (33)
Goals against averageGrant Fuhr (2.72)

The highlight of the 1996–97 St. Louis Blues season was, after losing Wayne Gretzky the Blues were in turmoil as an ugly public feud between Brett Hull and coach Mike Keenan developed. This was the last season until early 2009, that a huge Blue note would appear at center ice.

Offseason[edit]

On July 21, Wayne Gretzky's short tenure with the Blues ended when he signed with the New York Rangers as a free agent, rejoining longtime Oilers teammate Mark Messier.[1]

Regular season[edit]

The Blues were in turmoil as an ugly public feud between Brett Hull and Coach Mike Keenan developed, as the Blues got off to a slow start. On December 19 the Keenan era would come to a sudden end as he is fired as GM and Coach. Eventually he would be replaced by assistant coach Jim Roberts.

Roberts' stint as interim head coach lasted nine games, as the team would hire Colorado Avalanche assistant coach Joel Quenneville to serve as the team's head coach. The change worked with Quenneville behind the bench as the Blues recovered and made the playoffs for the 18th straight season with a 36–35–11 record. However, once again the Blues would make a quick exit in the playoffs as they are beaten by the Detroit Red Wings in 6 games.[2]

Final standings[edit]

Central Division
No. CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 2 Dallas Stars 82 48 26 8 252 198 104
2 3 Detroit Red Wings 82 38 26 18 253 197 94
3 5 Phoenix Coyotes 82 38 37 7 240 243 83
4 6 St. Louis Blues 82 36 35 11 236 239 83
5 8 Chicago Blackhawks 82 34 35 13 223 210 81
6 11 Toronto Maple Leafs 82 30 44 8 230 273 68

Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.

Western Conference[3]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 p – Colorado Avalanche PAC 82 49 24 9 277 205 107
2 Dallas Stars CEN 82 48 26 8 252 198 104
3 Detroit Red Wings CEN 82 38 26 18 253 197 94
4 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim PAC 82 36 33 13 245 233 85
5 Phoenix Coyotes CEN 82 38 37 7 240 243 83
6 St. Louis Blues CEN 82 36 35 11 236 239 83
7 Edmonton Oilers PAC 82 36 37 9 252 247 81
8 Chicago Blackhawks CEN 82 34 35 13 223 210 81
9 Vancouver Canucks PAC 82 35 40 7 257 273 77
10 Calgary Flames PAC 82 32 41 9 214 239 73
11 Toronto Maple Leafs CEN 82 30 44 8 230 273 68
12 Los Angeles Kings PAC 82 28 43 11 214 268 67
13 San Jose Sharks PAC 82 27 47 8 211 278 62

Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific

bold – Qualified for playoffs; p – Won Presidents' Trophy


Playoffs[edit]

The Blues lost 4 games to 2 to the Detroit Red Wings in the first round.

Schedule and results[edit]

Regular season[edit]

1996–97 regular season[4]
October: 5–7–0 (home: 2–3–0; road: 3–4–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
1 W October 4, 1996 4–2 Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 1–0–0 Recap
2 L October 6, 1996 1–4 Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) 1–1–0 Recap
3 W October 9, 1996 3–1 @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) 2–1–0 Recap
4 W October 11, 1996 3–1 @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 3–1–0 Recap
5 L October 12, 1996 3–5 @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) 3–2–0 Recap
6 W October 17, 1996 6–1 Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) 4–2–0 Recap
7 L October 18, 1996 1–2 @ New York Rangers (1996–97) 4–3–0 Recap
8 L October 20, 1996 2–3 San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 4–4–0 Recap
9 W October 22, 1996 2–1 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) 5–4–0 Recap
10 L October 24, 1996 4–6 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) 5–5–0 Recap
11 L October 26, 1996 4–6 Washington Capitals (1996–97) 5–6–0 Recap
12 L October 30, 1996 3–6 @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 5–7–0 Recap
November: 8–4–0 (home: 5–2–0; road: 3–2–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
13 L November 1, 1996 2–4 Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) 5–8–0 Recap
14 W November 3, 1996 6–3 Dallas Stars (1996–97) 6–8–0 Recap
15 L November 5, 1996 3–6 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) 6–9–0 Recap
16 W November 8, 1996 4–2 @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) 7–9–0 Recap
17 W November 9, 1996 3–2 @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) 8–9–0 Recap
18 W November 14, 1996 5–3 Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) 9–9–0 Recap
19 W November 16, 1996 2–0 Calgary Flames (1996–97) 10–9–0 Recap
20 W November 17, 1996 4–2 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 11–9–0 Recap
21 L November 19, 1996 2–4 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) 11–10–0 Recap
22 W November 21, 1996 4–3 OT Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) 12–10–0 Recap
23 L November 23, 1996 1–3 Florida Panthers (1996–97) 12–11–0 Recap
24 W November 27, 1996 3–2 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 13–11–0 Recap
December: 4–9–2 (home: 2–6–0; road: 2–3–2)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
25 L December 1, 1996 3–4 San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 13–12–0 Recap
26 L December 3, 1996 0–2 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) 13–13–0 Recap
27 L December 5, 1996 0–3 Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) 13–14–0 Recap
28 W December 6, 1996 4–3 @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 14–14–0 Recap
29 W December 8, 1996 3–2 @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 15–14–0 Recap
30 T December 11, 1996 5–5 OT @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) 15–14–1 Recap
31 L December 13, 1996 1–4 Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) 15–15–1 Recap
32 L December 15, 1996 0–8 Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) 15–16–1 Recap
33 L December 17, 1996 3–5 @ Hartford Whalers (1996–97) 15–17–1 Recap
34 L December 19, 1996 0–4 Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) 15–18–1 Recap
35 L December 21, 1996 0–4 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) 15–19–1 Recap
36 W December 22, 1996 7–4 Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) 16–19–1 Recap
37 T December 26, 1996 4–4 OT @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) 16–19–2 Recap
38 L December 27, 1996 2–3 Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) 16–20–2 Recap
39 W December 29, 1996 4–2 Boston Bruins (1996–97) 17–20–2 Recap
January: 8–3–2 (home: 1–2–1; road: 7–1–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
40 T January 2, 1997 2–2 OT Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) 17–20–3 Recap
41 T January 3, 1997 2–2 OT @ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) 17–20–4 Recap
42 W January 5, 1997 5–3 @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) 18–20–4 Recap
43 L January 7, 1997 2–5 Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 18–21–4 Recap
44 W January 9, 1997 4–3 @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 19–21–4 Recap
45 L January 11, 1997 1–2 @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) 19–22–4 Recap
46 W January 15, 1997 4–1 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) 20–22–4 Recap
47 W January 20, 1997 6–4 @ New York Islanders (1996–97) 21–22–4 Recap
48 W January 23, 1997 4–3 Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) 22–22–4 Recap
49 W January 25, 1997 8–1 @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) 23–22–4 Recap
50 L January 27, 1997 1–4 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 23–23–4 Recap
51 W January 29, 1997 4–0 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) 24–23–4 Recap
52 W January 30, 1997 5–2 @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) 25–23–4 Recap
February: 3–6–4 (home: 3–4–2; road: 0–2–2)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
53 L February 1, 1997 1–4 Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) 25–24–4 Recap
54 T February 4, 1997 1–1 OT @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) 25–24–5 Recap
55 W February 6, 1997 6–4 Dallas Stars (1996–97) 26–24–5 Recap
56 T February 8, 1997 3–3 OT @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) 26–24–6 Recap
57 L February 10, 1997 2–4 Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) 26–25–6 Recap
58 W February 13, 1997 4–1 New York Rangers (1996–97) 27–25–6 Recap
59 L February 15, 1997 2–5 Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 27–26–6 Recap
60 W February 17, 1997 4–2 Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) 28–26–6 Recap
61 T February 20, 1997 1–1 OT Ottawa Senators (1996–97) 28–26–7 Recap
62 T February 22, 1997 2–2 OT Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) 28–26–8 Recap
63 L February 23, 1997 3–5 Calgary Flames (1996–97) 28–27–8 Recap
64 L February 25, 1997 2–3 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) 28–28–8 Recap
65 L February 27, 1997 2–3 OT @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) 28–29–8 Recap
March: 5–5–1 (home: 3–2–0; road: 2–3–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
66 L March 5, 1997 2–3 @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) 28–30–8 Recap
67 L March 9, 1997 1–4 Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 28–31–8 Recap
68 W March 11, 1997 4–3 @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 29–31–8 Recap
69 W March 13, 1997 4–2 @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) 30–31–8 Recap
70 T March 14, 1997 4–4 OT @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 30–31–9 Recap
71 L March 17, 1997 2–3 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) 30–32–9 Recap
72 W March 20, 1997 4–1 Hartford Whalers (1996–97) 31–32–9 Recap
73 L March 23, 1997 1–4 Dallas Stars (1996–97) 31–33–9 Recap
74 L March 25, 1997 2–3 @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) 31–34–9 Recap
75 W March 27, 1997 2–1 Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) 32–34–9 Recap
76 W March 30, 1997 3–2 Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) 33–34–9 Recap
April: 3–1–2 (home: 1–1–1; road: 2–0–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
77 T April 1, 1997 1–1 OT @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) 33–34–10 Recap
78 T April 3, 1997 5–5 OT New York Islanders (1996–97) 33–34–11 Recap
79 L April 6, 1997 0–2 New Jersey Devils (1996–97) 33–35–11 Recap
80 W April 9, 1997 1–0 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) 34–35–11 Recap
81 W April 10, 1997 5–1 Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) 35–35–11 Recap
82 W April 13, 1997 3–1 @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) 36–35–11 Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Playoffs[edit]

1997 Stanley Cup playoffs[4]
Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. (3) Detroit Red Wings: Red Wings win 4–2
Game Result Date Score Opponent Series Recap
1 W April 16, 1997 2–0 @ Detroit Red Wings Blues lead 1–0 Recap
2 L April 18, 1997 1–2 @ Detroit Red Wings Series tied 1–1 Recap
3 L April 20, 1997 2–3 Detroit Red Wings Red Wings lead 2–1 Recap
4 W April 22, 1997 4–0 Detroit Red Wings Series tied 2–2 Recap
5 L April 25, 1997 2–5 @ Detroit Red Wings Red Wings lead 3–2 Recap
6 L April 27, 1997 1–3 Detroit Red Wings Red Wings win 4–2 Recap
Legend:

  Win   Loss

Player statistics[edit]

Scoring[edit]

  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Blues only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Blues only.
Regular season Playoffs
No. Player Pos GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
16 Brett Hull RW 77 42 40 82 −9 10 6 2 7 9 4 2
77 Pierre Turgeon† C 69 25 49 74 4 12 5 1 1 2 0 2
14 Geoff Courtnall LW 82 17 40 57 3 86 6 3 1 4 0 23
17[a] Joe Murphy RW 75 20 25 45 −1 69 6 1 1 2 −2 10
10 Jim Campbell RW 68 23 20 43 3 68 4 1 0 1 −1 6
2 Al MacInnis D 72 13 30 43 2 65 6 1 2 3 −1 4
32 Stephane Matteau LW 74 16 20 36 11 50 5 0 0 0 0 0
44 Chris Pronger D 79 11 24 35 15 143 6 1 1 2 0 22
37 Harry York C 74 14 18 32 1 24 5 0 0 0 −1 2
5 Igor Kravchuk D 82 4 24 28 7 35 2 0 0 0 −1 2
36 Robert Petrovicky C 44 7 12 19 2 10 2 0 0 0 1 0
39[b] Scott Pellerin LW 54 8 10 18 12 35 6 0 0 0 −1 6
22 Craig Conroy† C 61 6 11 17 0 43 6 0 0 0 −1 8
25 Peter Zezel‡ C 35 4 9 13 6 12 — — — — — —
28 Ricard Persson† D 53 4 8 12 −2 45 6 0 0 0 −1 27
23 Craig MacTavish C 50 2 5 7 −12 33 1 0 0 0 −1 2
28 Brian Noonan‡ RW 13 2 5 7 2 0 — — — — — —
6 Jamie Rivers D 15 2 5 7 −4 6 — — — — — —
43 Libor Zabransky D 34 1 5 6 −1 44 — — — — — —
20 Mike Peluso† LW 44 2 3 5 0 158 5 0 0 0 −1 25
26 Sergio Momesso† LW 31 1 3 4 −4 37 3 0 0 0 0 6
4 Marc Bergevin D 82 0 4 4 −9 53 6 1 0 1 2 8
38 Pavol Demitra† LW 8 3 0 3 0 2 6 1 3 4 3 6
9 Shayne Corson‡ LW 11 2 1 3 −4 24 — — — — — —
27 Steve Leach RW 17 2 1 3 −2 24 6 0 0 0 −2 33
26 Konstantin Shafranov RW 5 2 1 3 1 0 — — — — — —
12 Rob Pearson RW 18 1 2 3 −5 37 — — — — — —
18 Tony Twist LW 64 1 2 3 −8 121 6 0 0 0 0 0
34 Murray Baron‡ D 11 0 2 2 −4 11 — — — — — —
31 Grant Fuhr G 73 0 2 2 6 6 0 0 0 4
33 Trent Yawney D 39 0 2 2 2 17 — — — — — —
13 Yuri Khmylev LW 2 1 0 1 −1 2 — — — — — —
38 Gary Leeman RW 2 0 1 1 0 0 — — — — — —
21 Jamal Mayers RW 6 0 1 1 −3 2 — — — — — —
35 Christer Olsson‡ D 5 0 1 1 1 0 — — — — — —
30 Jon Casey G 15 0 0 0 0 — — — — — —
42 Rory Fitzpatrick† D 2 0 0 0 −2 2 — — — — — —
19 Chris McAlpine† D 15 0 0 0 −2 24 4 0 1 1 1 0
15 Alexander Vasilevski RW 3 0 0 0 −1 2 — — — — — —

Goaltending[edit]

Regular season Playoffs
No. Player GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
31 Grant Fuhr 73 33 27 11 1940 193 2.72 .901 3 4261 6 2 4 183 13 2.18 .929 2 357
30 Jon Casey 15 3 8 0 299 40 3.40 .866 0 707 — — — — — — — — —

Awards and records[edit]

Awards[edit]

Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(annual) 		NHL All-Rookie Team Jim Campbell (Forward) [5]
League
(in-season) 		NHL All-Star Game selection Brett Hull[c] [7]
Al MacInnis
NHL Rookie of the Month Jim Campbell (October) [8]
Harry York (November)

Draft picks[edit]

St. Louis's draft picks at the 1996 NHL Entry Draft held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri.[9]

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 14 Marty Reasoner  United States Boston College (Hockey East)
3 67 Gordie Dwyer  Canada Beauport Harfangs (QMJHL)
4 95 Jon Zukiwsky  Canada Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
4 97 Andrei Petrakov  Russia Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg (Russia)
6 159 Stephen Wagner  Canada Olds Grizzlys (AJHL)
7 169 Daniel Corso  Canada Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
7 177 Reed Low  Canada Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
8 196 Andrej Podkonicky  Slovakia ZTK Zvolen (Slovakia)
8 203 Anthony Hutchins  United States Lawrence Academy (USHS–MA)
9 229 Konstantin Shafranov  Kazakhstan Fort Wayne Komets (IHL)

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Murphy wore number 21 in his first seven games.
  2. ^ Pellerin wore number 36 in his first game and number 12 in his second game.
  3. ^ Hull was voted to the starting lineup.[6]

References[edit]

  • "St. Louis Blues 1996-97 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  • "1996-97 St. Louis Blues Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  1. ^ "Rangers to sign Gretzky today". Tampa Bay Times. July 21, 1996. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  2. ^ St. Louis Blues (1967-Present)
  3. ^ "1996-1997 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  4. ^ a b "1996-97 St. Louis Blues Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  5. ^ "Postseason All-Star Teams". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  6. ^ "NHL All-Star Game Starting Lineups by Year (since 1986)". www.nhl.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  7. ^ "NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1997". www.nhl.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  8. ^ "NHL Rookies of the Month". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  9. ^ "1996 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
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