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Arch Awards: Who was St. Louis’s Best Under-the-Radar Performer in 2016?

By Patrick Karraker

Oct 1, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Jedd Gyorko (3) acknowledges the fans after hitting a go ahead home run in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Pirates 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Jedd Gyorko (3) acknowledges the fans after hitting a go ahead home run in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Pirates 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /
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Scottie Upshall St. Louis Blues
Nov 3, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Scottie Upshall (10) skates off the ice after having his nose bloodied by Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (not pictured) during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Stars beat the Blues 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Scottie Upshall, LW, St. Louis Blues

Considering that Scottie Upshall had to settle for a professional tryout deal with the Blues rather than receiving a guaranteed contract prior to the 2015-16 season, expectations weren’t exactly sky-high for the then 31-year-old forward as he came into training camp. Upshall impressed, though, beating out players such as Magnus Paajarvi and Ty Rattie to earn a spot on the Blues’ opening roster last fall.

After seeing occasional action as a replacement for injured players during the first half of last season, Upshall truly discovered his niche after the new year as the left wing on the Blues’ fourth line. Upshall found a way to combine speed, physicality, consistent energy, and a touch of offensive skill to make more of an impact than anyone else had in a long while, helping to move the Blues’ fourth line into the “new age” by making it a legitimate scoring threat rather than just a checking line.

Next: 50 Most Outstanding Players in Blues History: 40-31

After collecting six goals and eight assists over 70 games in 2015-16 (plus a goal and two assists in 17 playoff games), Upshall received a one-year extension from the Blues and has returned to play a very important role on the fourth line in 2016-17. Through 27 games, Upshall has three goals and three assists. That’s a pretty solid turnaround for a veteran who looked to be on his last legs and couldn’t even get a guaranteed deal heading into last season.

Let us know who you think the best under-the-radar performer of 2016 was, and check back next week to see who wins!

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