1996–97 St. Louis Blues season

National Hockey League team season March 2026 August 2023 NHL 1996–97 1996 St. Louis Blues Western 6th Central 4th 36–35–11 17–20–4 19–15–7 236 239 Mike Keenan (Oct.–Dec.)Ron Caron (Dec.–Apr.) Mike Keenan (Oct.–Dec.)Jim Roberts (Dec.–Jan.)Joel Quenneville (Jan.–Apr.) Vacant Kiel Center 16,806 Worcester IceCatsBaton Rouge Kingfish Brett Hull (42) Pierre Turgeon (49) Brett Hull (82) Mike Peluso (158) Chris Pronger (+15) Grant Fuhr (33) Grant Fuhr (2.72) The highlight of the 1996–97 St. Louis Blues season marked by significant changes following the departure of Wayne Gretzky. During the season, a public disagreement occurred between Brett Hull and coach Mike Keenan. This season was also the last in which the team featured a large Blue Note logo at center ice until it was reintroduced in early 2009. Offseason 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.Rangers to sign Gretzky today https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/07/21/rangers-to-sign-gretzky-today/ Tampa Bay Times August 17, 2023 July 21, 1996 Regular season 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.St. Louis Blues (1967-Present) Final standings STL STL Playoffs The Blues lost 4 games to 2 to the Detroit Red Wings, the eventual Stanley Cup champions, in the first round. Schedule and results Regular season background:#fff; border-top:#002F87 5px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 5px solid; 1996–97 regular season1996-97 St. Louis Blues Schedule https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/STL/1997_games.html Hockey-Reference.com July 24, 2023 y background:#fff; border-top:#002F87 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid; October: 5–7–0 (home: 2–3–0; road: 3–4–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |1||October 4, 1996||4–2 || align="left"| Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||1–0–0 || 1996020001 W |- |2||October 6, 1996||1–4 || align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||1–1–0 || 1996020016 L |- |3||October 9, 1996||3–1 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||2–1–0 || 1996020032 W |- |4||October 11, 1996||3–1 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||3–1–0 || 1996020042 W |- |5||October 12, 1996||3–5 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||3–2–0 || 1996020052 L |- |6||October 17, 1996||6–1 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) ||4–2–0 || 1996020072 W |- |7||October 18, 1996||1–2 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1996–97) ||4–3–0 || 1996020076 L |- |8||October 20, 1996||2–3 || align="left"| San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||4–4–0 || 1996020089 L |- |9||October 22, 1996||2–1 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||5–4–0 || 1996020097 W |- |10||October 24, 1996||4–6 || align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||5–5–0 || 1996020109 L |- |11||October 26, 1996||4–6 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1996–97) ||5–6–0 || 1996020120 L |- |12||October 30, 1996||3–6 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||5–7–0 || 1996020142 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#002F87 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid; November: 8–4–0 (home: 5–2–0; road: 3–2–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |13||November 1, 1996||2–4 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) ||5–8–0 || 1996020151 L |- |14||November 3, 1996||6–3 || align="left"| Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||6–8–0 || 1996020167 W |- |15||November 5, 1996||3–6 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) ||6–9–0 || 1996020174 L |- |16||November 8, 1996||4–2 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||7–9–0 || 1996020192 W |- |17||November 9, 1996||3–2 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||8–9–0 || 1996020203 W |- |18||November 14, 1996||5–3 || align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) ||9–9–0 || 1996020227 W |- |19||November 16, 1996||2–0 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||10–9–0 || 1996020241 W |- |20||November 17, 1996||4–2 || align="left"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||11–9–0 || 1996020245 W |- |21||November 19, 1996||2–4 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) ||11–10–0 || 1996020251 L |- |22||November 21, 1996||4–3 OT|| align="left"| Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||12–10–0 || 1996020266 W |- |23||November 23, 1996||1–3 || align="left"| Florida Panthers (1996–97) ||12–11–0 || 1996020280 L |- |24||November 27, 1996||3–2 || align="left"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||13–11–0 || 1996020303 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#002F87 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid; December: 4–9–2 (home: 2–6–0; road: 2–3–2) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |25||December 1, 1996||3–4 || align="left"| San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||13–12–0 || 1996020325 L |- |26||December 3, 1996||0–2 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) ||13–13–0 || 1996020330 L |- |27||December 5, 1996||0–3 || align="left"| Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||13–14–0 || 1996020344 L |- |28||December 6, 1996||4–3 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||14–14–0 || 1996020351 W |- |29||December 8, 1996||3–2 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||15–14–0 || 1996020364 W |- |30||December 11, 1996||5–5 OT|| align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||15–14–1 || 1996020377 T |- |31||December 13, 1996||1–4 || align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||15–15–1 || 1996020388 L |- |32||December 15, 1996||0–8 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||15–16–1 || 1996020404 L |- |33||December 17, 1996||3–5 || align="left"| @ Hartford Whalers (1996–97) ||15–17–1 || 1996020408 L |- |34||December 19, 1996||0–4 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) ||15–18–1 || 1996020423 L |- |35||December 21, 1996||0–4 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) ||15–19–1 || 1996020438 L |- |36||December 22, 1996||7–4 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) ||16–19–1 || 1996020442 W |- |37||December 26, 1996||4–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||16–19–2 || 1996020461 T |- |38||December 27, 1996||2–3 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) ||16–20–2 || 1996020465 L |- |39||December 29, 1996||4–2 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1996–97) ||17–20–2 || 1996020480 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#002F87 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid; January: 8–3–2 (home: 1–2–1; road: 7–1–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |40||January 2, 1997||2–2 OT|| align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) ||17–20–3 || 1996020503 T |- |41||January 3, 1997||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) ||17–20–4 || 1996020507 T |- |42||January 5, 1997||5–3 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) ||18–20–4 || 1996020523 W |- |43||January 7, 1997||2–5 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||18–21–4 || 1996020531 L |- |44||January 9, 1997||4–3 || align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||19–21–4 || 1996020546 W |- |45||January 11, 1997||1–2 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) ||19–22–4 || 1996020561 L |- |46||January 15, 1997||4–1 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||20–22–4 || 1996020582 W |- |47||January 20, 1997||6–4 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1996–97) ||21–22–4 || 1996020589 W |- |48||January 23, 1997||4–3 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||22–22–4 || 1996020608 W |- |49||January 25, 1997||8–1 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) ||23–22–4 || 1996020619 W |- |50||January 27, 1997||1–4 || align="left"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||23–23–4 || 1996020631 L |- |51||January 29, 1997||4–0 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) ||24–23–4 || 1996020640 W |- |52||January 30, 1997||5–2 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) ||25–23–4 || 1996020645 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#002F87 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid; February: 3–6–4 (home: 3–4–2; road: 0–2–2) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |53||February 1, 1997||1–4 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||25–24–4 || 1996020661 L |- |54||February 4, 1997||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||25–24–5 || 1996020677 T |- |55||February 6, 1997||6–4 || align="left"| Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||26–24–5 || 1996020690 W |- |56||February 8, 1997||3–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) ||26–24–6 || 1996020694 T |- |57||February 10, 1997||2–4 || align="left"| Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||26–25–6 || 1996020711 L |- |58||February 13, 1997||4–1 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1996–97) ||27–25–6 || 1996020727 W |- |59||February 15, 1997||2–5 || align="left"| Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||27–26–6 || 1996020739 L |- |60||February 17, 1997||4–2 || align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||28–26–6 || 1996020751 W |- |61||February 20, 1997||1–1 OT|| align="left"| Ottawa Senators (1996–97) ||28–26–7 || 1996020768 T |- |62||February 22, 1997||2–2 OT|| align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||28–26–8 || 1996020780 T |- |63||February 23, 1997||3–5 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||28–27–8 || 1996020787 L |- |64||February 25, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) ||28–28–8 || 1996020793 L |- |65||February 27, 1997||2–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) ||28–29–8 || 1996020806 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#002F87 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid; March: 5–5–1 (home: 3–2–0; road: 2–3–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |66||March 5, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||28–30–8 || 1996020842 L |- |67||March 9, 1997||1–4 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||28–31–8 || 1996020866 L |- |68||March 11, 1997||4–3 || align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||29–31–8 || 1996020877 W |- |69||March 13, 1997||4–2 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) ||30–31–8 || 1996020889 W |- |70||March 14, 1997||4–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||30–31–9 || 1996020894 T |- |71||March 17, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||30–32–9 || 1996020913 L |- |72||March 20, 1997||4–1 || align="left"| Hartford Whalers (1996–97) ||31–32–9 || 1996020928 W |- |73||March 23, 1997||1–4 || align="left"| Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||31–33–9 || 1996020945 L |- |74||March 25, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) ||31–34–9 || 1996020953 L |- |75||March 27, 1997||2–1 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) ||32–34–9 || 1996020966 W |- |76||March 30, 1997||3–2 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) ||33–34–9 || 1996020983 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#002F87 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid; April: 3–1–2 (home: 1–1–1; road: 2–0–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |77||April 1, 1997||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||33–34–10 || 1996020990 T |- |78||April 3, 1997||5–5 OT|| align="left"| New York Islanders (1996–97) ||33–34–11 || 1996021003 T |- |79||April 6, 1997||0–2 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (1996–97) ||33–35–11 || 1996021020 L |- |80||April 9, 1997||1–0 || align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||34–35–11 || 1996021034 W |- |81||April 10, 1997||5–1 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) ||35–35–11 || 1996021044 W |- |82||April 13, 1997||3–1 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||36–35–11 || 1996021064 W |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win (2 points) 1px solid black W #fcc Loss (0 points) 1px solid black L #ffc Tie (1 point) 1px solid black T Playoffs background:#fff; border-top:#002F87 5px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 5px solid; 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs y background:#fff; border-top:#002F87 2px solid; border-bottom:#FCB514 2px solid; Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. (3) Detroit Red Wings: Red Wings win 4–2 Game Date Score Opponent Series Recap |- | 1 || April 16, 1997 || 2–0 || align="left"|@ Detroit Red Wings || Blues lead 1–0 || 1996030171 W |- | 2 || April 18, 1997 || 1–2 || align="left"|@ Detroit Red Wings || Series tied 1–1 || 1996030172 L |- | 3 || April 20, 1997 || 2–3 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings || Red Wings lead 2–1 || 1996030173 L |- | 4 || April 22, 1997 || 4–0 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings || Series tied 2–2 || 1996030174 W |- | 5 || April 25, 1997 || 2–5 || align="left"|@ Detroit Red Wings || Red Wings lead 3–2 || 1996030175 L |- | 6 || April 27, 1997 || 1–3 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings || Red Wings win 4–2 || 1996030176 L |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win 1px solid black W #fcc Loss 1px solid black L Player statistics Scoring 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. No. Jersey number Player Pos Position Regular season Playoffs GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/- Plus/minus PIM Penalties in minutes GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/- Plus/minus PIM Penalties in minutes 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 17Murphy wore number 21 in his first seven games. Joe Murphy ice hockey RW 75 20 25 45 −1 69 6 1 1 2 −2 10 10 Jim Campbell ice hockey 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 Róbert Petrovický C 44 7 12 19 2 10 2 0 0 0 1 0 39Pellerin wore number 36 in his first game and number 12 in his second game. 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 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 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 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 6 Jamie Rivers D 15 2 5 7 −4 6 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 43 Libor Zabransky Libor Zábranský (ice hockey, born 1973) D 34 1 5 6 −1 44 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 20 Mike Peluso ice hockey, born 1965 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 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 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 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 12 Rob Pearson RW 18 1 2 3 −5 37 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 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 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 31 Grant Fuhr G 73 0 2 2 6 6 0 0 0 -98 4 33 Trent Yawney D 39 0 2 2 2 17 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 13 Yuri Khmylev LW 2 1 0 1 −1 2 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 38 Gary Leeman RW 2 0 1 1 0 0 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 21 Jamal Mayers RW 6 0 1 1 −3 2 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 35 Christer Olsson D 5 0 1 1 1 0 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 30 Jon Casey G 15 0 0 0 0 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 42 Rory Fitzpatrick D 2 0 0 0 −2 2 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 19 Chris McAlpine D 15 0 0 0 −2 24 4 0 1 1 1 0 15 Alexander Vasilevski ice hockey, born 1975 RW 3 0 0 0 −1 2 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — Goaltending No. Jersey number Player Regular season Playoffs GP Games played W Wins L Losses T Ties SA Shots against GA Goals against GAA Goals against average SV% Save percentage SO Shutouts TOI Time on Ice GP Games played W Wins L Losses SA Shots against GA Goals against GAA Goals against average SV% Save percentage SO Shutouts TOI Time on Ice 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 Awards TypeAward/honorRecipientRef League(annual) NHL All-Rookie Team Jim Campbell (Forward)Postseason All-Star Teams https://records.nhl.com/awards/phwa-all-star-teams?season=19961997 records.nhl.com July 27, 2023 League(in-season) NHL All-Star Game selection Brett HullHull was voted to the starting lineup.NHL All-Star Game Starting Lineups by Year (since 1986) https://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=29185 NHL.com August 29, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20230322193353/https://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=29185 March 22, 20231997 NHL All-Star Game Rosters https://www.hockey-reference.com/allstar/NHL_1997_roster.html Hockey-Reference.com August 29, 2024 Al MacInnis NHL Rookie of the Month Jim Campbell (October)NHL Rookies of the Month https://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/rookiemonthly.html Hockey-Reference.com July 27, 2023 Harry York (November) Milestones MilestonePlayerDateRef First game Harry York October 4, 19961996-97 NHL Debuts https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1997_debut.html Hockey-Reference.com October 7, 2024 Konstantin Shafranov October 6, 1996 Libor Zabransky October 18, 1996 Jamal Mayers November 3, 1996 Draft picks St. Louis's draft picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri.1996 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl1996e.html www.hockeydb.com July 27, 2023 Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)114Marty ReasonerBoston College (Hockey East)367Gordie DwyerBeauport Harfangs (QMJHL)495Jon ZukiwskyRed Deer Rebels (WHL)497Andrei PetrakovAvtomobilist Yekaterinburg (Russia)6159Stephen WagnerOlds Grizzlys (AJHL)7169Daniel CorsoVictoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)7177Reed LowMoose Jaw Warriors (WHL)8196Andrej PodkonickyZTK Zvolen (Slovakia)8203Anthony HutchinsLawrence Academy (USHS–MA)9229Konstantin ShafranovFort Wayne Komets (IHL) See also 1996–97 NHL season Notes References St. Louis Blues 1996-97 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000361997.html www.hockeydb.com July 24, 2023 1996-97 St. Louis Blues Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/STL/1997.html Hockey-Reference.com July 24, 2023 S Category:St. Louis Blues seasons St St