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50 Most Outstanding Players in St. Louis Blues History: 20-11

By Patrick Karraker

Jan 2, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) skates in the game against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2016 Winter Classic ice hockey game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) skates in the game against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2016 Winter Classic ice hockey game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 13, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; An overall view of pre-game ceremonies prior to a game between the St. Louis Blues and the Minnesota Wild at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; An overall view of pre-game ceremonies prior to a game between the St. Louis Blues and the Minnesota Wild at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Barclay Plager

Defenseman, 1967-77; 614 games, 44 goals, 187 assists, plus-58 rating, 1,115 PIM

Barclay Plager might not have had the measurable statistics of a Chris Pronger, Al MacInnis, or even Kevin Shattenkirk, but there’s little argument that he was one of the best defensemen in franchise history. Plager, who joined the Blues during their inaugural 1967-68 campaign and made his NHL debut early in the season, spent his entire career in the Blue Note, remaining with the organization until his retirement after the 1976-77 season.

He was a defense-first blueliner who made more of an impact as an agitator than an offensive force, but he was still solid as a puck-mover, collecting at least 30 points in three of his nine full NHL seasons. During an era where brute physicality was at much more of a premium than it is today, Plager excelled at his craft and was feared by his opponents.

Plager ranks ninth in Blues history in games played, eighth in plus-minus, and third in penalty minutes. His plus-31 rating in 1968-69 is also the eighth-best single-season rating in the history of the franchise. He was part of the Blues’ captain rotation from 1970-72, and he took over as the sole captain from 1972-76. He played alongside his brother, Bob, for his entire playing career with the Blues, and he was also teammates with his brother, Bill, from 1968-72.

Just like Bob still is today, Barclay was on track to be a lifetime member of the Blues organization. He was the team’s head coach from 1978-79, and even after he was fired, he remained on the staff as an assistant. He had another stint as the head coach, this time on an interim basis, in 1982-83. He finished with a career head coaching record of 49-96-33. Unfortunately, Plager was taken away much too soon, dying of complications from a brain tumor at the age of 46 in 1988.

Nearly 20 years after his death, Barclay’s role in Bob’s jersey retirement ceremony created one of the most touching moments in Blues history:

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