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1995–96 St. Louis Blues season

National Hockey League team season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1995–96 St. Louis Blues season was the 29th in franchise history. The Blues hired head coach Mike Keenan as general manager. One of Keenan's first moves was trading Brendan Shanahan to the Hartford Whalers for Chris Pronger. Late in the season, Keenan acquired Wayne Gretzky from the Los Angeles Kings, reuniting him with former Oilers such as Glenn Anderson, Charlie Huddy, Craig MacTavish, and Grant Fuhr. Fuhr was hurt in the final game of the regular season and only played 2 games in the playoffs.

Division4th Central
Conference5th Western
1995–96 record32–34–16
Home record15–17–9
Quick facts St. Louis Blues, Division ...
1995–96 St. Louis Blues
Division4th Central
Conference5th Western
1995–96 record32–34–16
Home record15–17–9
Road record17–17–7
Goals for219
Goals against248
Team information
General managerMike Keenan
CoachMike Keenan
CaptainBrett Hull (Oct.)
Shayne Corson (Oct.–Feb.)
Wayne Gretzky (Feb.–May)
Alternate captainsShayne Corson (Oct., Feb.–May)
Brett Hull (Dec.–Feb.)
Al MacInnis
Jay Wells (Oct.–Dec.)
ArenaKiel Center
Average attendance18,805
Minor league affiliatesWorcester IceCats
Birmingham Bulls
Team leaders
GoalsBrett Hull (43)
AssistsAl MacInnis (44)
PointsBrett Hull (83)
Penalty minutesShayne Corson (192)
Plus/minusMike Hudson (+7)
WinsGrant Fuhr (30)
Goals against averageGrant Fuhr (2.87)
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The Blues defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Western Conference Quarter-finals in the last playoff series ever played at Maple Leaf Gardens. In the Western Conference Semifinals, the Blues lost to the President's Trophy winners, the Detroit Red Wings, in seven games. The Blues had seven eventual Hockey Hall of Fame members during the season (Gretzky, Hull, MacInnis, Anderson, Fuhr, Hawerchuk and Pronger).

Regular season

Wayne Gretzky trade

On February 27, the St. Louis Blues acquired Wayne Gretzky from the Los Angeles Kings for Craig Johnson, Patrice Tardif, Roman Vopat and draft picks.[1] In 18 regular season games with the Blues, Gretzky recorded 21 points as the Blues qualified for the playoffs for the 17th straight season with a record of 32–34–16. He scored 14 points in 13 playoff games for the team, and the Blues lost Game 7 of the conference semifinals in overtime. He also served as the team's captain (replacing Corson) during his short tenure with the Blues.[2]

Final standings

More information No., GP ...
Central Division
No. GP W L T GF GA Pts
1Detroit Red Wings8262137325181131
2Chicago Blackhawks8240281427322094
3Toronto Maple Leafs8234361224725280
4St. Louis Blues8232341621924880
5Winnipeg Jets823640627529178
6Dallas Stars8226421422728066
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Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.

More information R, Div ...
Western Conference[3]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1p – Detroit Red WingsCEN8262137325181131
2Colorado AvalanchePAC82472510326240104
3Chicago BlackhawksCEN8240281427322094
4Toronto Maple LeafsCEN8234361224725280
5St. Louis BluesCEN8232341621924880
6Calgary FlamesPAC8234371124124079
7Vancouver CanucksPAC8232351527827879
8Winnipeg JetsCEN823640627529178
9Mighty Ducks of AnaheimPAC823539823424778
10Edmonton OilersPAC823044824030468
11Dallas StarsCEN8226421422728066
12Los Angeles KingsPAC8224401825630266
13San Jose SharksPAC822055725235747
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Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific

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

Playoffs

In the playoffs, Gretzky would provide a spark as the Blues overcame an injury to goalie Grant Fuhr in Game 1 to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in 6 games. Backup goalie Jon Casey continued to keep the Blues hopes alive as they jumped out to a 3–2 series lead against the Detroit Red Wings. However, the Wings would rally and win the series in double overtime in Game 7 on Steve Yzerman's goal.

Schedule and results

Regular season

More information Game, Date ...
1995–96 regular season[4]
October: 5–5–1 (home: 3–3–1; road: 2–2–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
1October 7, 19951–4@ Washington Capitals (1995–96)0–1–0L
2October 10, 19955–3Edmonton Oilers (1995–96)1–1–0W
3October 12, 19953–1@ Dallas Stars (1995–96)2–1–0W
4October 14, 19954–1Colorado Avalanche (1995–96)3–1–0W
5October 17, 19954–7Boston Bruins (1995–96)3–2–0L
6October 19, 19951–1 OTDallas Stars (1995–96)3–2–1T
7October 21, 19951–4Chicago Blackhawks (1995–96)3–3–1L
8October 22, 19952–5@ Buffalo Sabres (1995–96)3–4–1L
9October 25, 19954–2@ Hartford Whalers (1995–96)4–4–1W
10October 27, 19954–2Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1995–96)5–4–1W
11October 29, 19951–3Washington Capitals (1995–96)5–5–1L
November: 5–7–2 (home: 3–3–2; road: 2–4–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
12November 1, 19950–3@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1995–96)5–6–1L
13November 4, 19953–7@ San Jose Sharks (1995–96)5–7–1L
14November 7, 19950–1Los Angeles Kings (1995–96)5–8–1L
15November 10, 19953–2Winnipeg Jets (1995–96)6–8–1W
16November 11, 19954–1@ New York Islanders (1995–96)7–8–1W
17November 14, 19951–1 OTNew York Rangers (1995–96)7–8–2T
18November 16, 19953–1San Jose Sharks (1995–96)8–8–2W
19November 18, 19952–5@ Boston Bruins (1995–96)8–9–2L
20November 21, 19952–5@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1995–96)8–10–2L
21November 23, 19952–3Vancouver Canucks (1995–96)8–11–2L
22November 25, 19952–2 OTToronto Maple Leafs (1995–96)8–11–3T
23November 27, 19950–2Buffalo Sabres (1995–96)8–12–3L
24November 29, 19955–4Montreal Canadiens (1995–96)9–12–3W
25November 30, 19954–1@ Winnipeg Jets (1995–96)10–12–3W
December: 6–5–2 (home: 3–2–1; road: 3–3–1)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
26December 2, 19957–3@ Edmonton Oilers (1995–96)11–12–3W
27December 5, 19951–1 OT@ Calgary Flames (1995–96)11–12–4T
28December 8, 19956–3@ Vancouver Canucks (1995–96)12–12–4W
29December 9, 19952–1@ Los Angeles Kings (1995–96)13–12–4W
30December 12, 19952–5Detroit Red Wings (1995–96)13–13–4L
31December 14, 19953–3 OTCalgary Flames (1995–96)13–13–5T
32December 16, 19953–2San Jose Sharks (1995–96)14–13–5W
33December 19, 19954–1New York Islanders (1995–96)15–13–5W
34December 22, 19951–2@ Colorado Avalanche (1995–96)15–14–5L
35December 23, 19951–2@ Winnipeg Jets (1995–96)15–15–5L
36December 26, 19952–3@ Detroit Red Wings (1995–96)15–16–5L
37December 28, 19954–1Dallas Stars (1995–96)16–16–5W
38December 30, 19953–4 OTToronto Maple Leafs (1995–96)16–17–5L
January: 5–3–3 (home: 2–1–0; road: 3–2–3)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
39January 4, 19963–1@ Chicago Blackhawks (1995–96)17–17–5W
40January 6, 19963–2Pittsburgh Penguins (1995–96)18–17–5W
41January 9, 19962–4@ New Jersey Devils (1995–96)18–18–5L
42January 11, 19964–4 OT@ Philadelphia Flyers (1995–96)18–18–6T
43January 13, 19963–3 OT@ Montreal Canadiens (1995–96)18–18–7T
44January 14, 19963–3 OT@ New York Rangers (1995–96)18–18–8T
45January 16, 19961–5Edmonton Oilers (1995–96)18–19–8L
46January 24, 19966–5@ Winnipeg Jets (1995–96)19–19–8W
47January 27, 19962–1Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96)20–19–8W
48January 29, 19962–4@ Ottawa Senators (1995–96)20–20–8L
49January 31, 19964–0@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1995–96)21–20–8W
February: 5–4–4 (home: 2–4–2; road: 3–0–2)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
50February 1, 19962–2 OTVancouver Canucks (1995–96)21–20–9T
51February 3, 19963–7Philadelphia Flyers (1995–96)21–21–9L
52February 6, 19962–5Dallas Stars (1995–96)21–22–9L
53February 8, 19961–6Chicago Blackhawks (1995–96)21–23–9L
54February 10, 19966–3@ Dallas Stars (1995–96)22–23–9W
55February 11, 19962–2 OT@ Florida Panthers (1995–96)22–23–10T
56February 13, 19963–2@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96)23–23–10W
57February 16, 19964–3Detroit Red Wings (1995–96)24–23–10W
58February 18, 19963–0Winnipeg Jets (1995–96)25–23–10W
59February 20, 19961–7Ottawa Senators (1995–96)25–24–10L
60February 22, 19964–3 OT@ Chicago Blackhawks (1995–96)26–24–10W
61February 24, 19962–2 OTLos Angeles Kings (1995–96)26–24–11T
62February 29, 19962–2 OT@ Vancouver Canucks (1995–96)26–24–12T
March: 5–7–2 (home: 2–2–2; road: 3–5–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
63March 3, 19964–3@ Edmonton Oilers (1995–96)27–24–12W
64March 5, 19962–0Florida Panthers (1995–96)28–24–12W
65March 7, 19962–4Calgary Flames (1995–96)28–25–12L
66March 9, 19966–3Hartford Whalers (1995–96)29–25–12W
67March 12, 19962–4@ Calgary Flames (1995–96)29–26–12L
68March 15, 19964–2@ San Jose Sharks (1995–96)30–26–12W
69March 17, 19961–5@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1995–96)30–27–12L
70March 18, 19963–1@ Los Angeles Kings (1995–96)31–27–12W
71March 20, 19961–2@ Dallas Stars (1995–96)31–28–12L
72March 22, 19961–6Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1995–96)31–29–12L
73March 24, 19962–2 OTDetroit Red Wings (1995–96)31–29–13T
74March 26, 19964–8@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1995–96)31–30–13L
75March 28, 19964–4 OTNew Jersey Devils (1995–96)31–30–14T
76March 31, 19961–8@ Detroit Red Wings (1995–96)31–31–14L
April: 1–3–2 (home: 0–2–1; road: 1–1–1)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
77April 3, 19966–3@ Colorado Avalanche (1995–96)32–31–14W
78April 4, 19961–3Toronto Maple Leafs (1995–96)32–32–14L
79April 6, 19961–5@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1995–96)32–33–14L
80April 8, 19962–2 OTWinnipeg Jets (1995–96)32–33–15T
81April 11, 19962–3Colorado Avalanche (1995–96)32–34–15L
82April 14, 19962–2 OT@ Chicago Blackhawks (1995–96)32–34–16T

Legend: W Win (2 points) L Loss (0 points) T Tie (1 point)

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Playoffs

More information 1996 Stanley Cup playoffs, Game ...
1996 Stanley Cup playoffs[4]
Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. (4) Toronto Maple Leafs: Blues win 4–2
GameDateScoreOpponentSeriesRecap
1April 16, 19963–1@ Toronto Maple LeafsBlues lead 1–0W
2April 18, 19964–5 OT@ Toronto Maple LeafsSeries tied 1–1L
3April 21, 19963–2 OTToronto Maple LeafsBlues lead 2–1W
4April 23, 19965–1Toronto Maple LeafsBlues lead 3–1W
5April 25, 19964–5 OT@ Toronto Maple LeafsBlues lead 3–2L
6April 27, 19962–1Toronto Maple LeafsBlues win 4–2W
Western Conference Semifinals vs. (1) Detroit Red Wings: Red Wings win 4–3
GameDateScoreOpponentSeriesRecap
1May 3, 19962–3@ Detroit Red WingsRed Wings lead 1–0L
2May 5, 19963–8@ Detroit Red WingsRed Wings lead 2–0L
3May 8, 19965–4 OTDetroit Red WingsRed Wings lead 2–1W
4May 10, 19961–0Detroit Red WingsSeries tied 2–2W
5May 12, 19963–2@ Detroit Red WingsBlues lead 3–2W
6May 14, 19962–4Detroit Red WingsSeries tied 3–3L
7May 16, 19960–1 2OT@ Detroit Red WingsRed Wings win 4–3L

Legend: W Win L Loss

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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.
More information No., Player ...
No. Player Pos Regular season Playoffs
GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
16Brett HullRW70434083430136511210
2Al MacInnisD8217446158813347220
9Shayne CorsonLW771828463192138614−122
10[a]Dale Hawerchuk‡C66132841522——————
14Geoff CourtnallLW69241640−910113033214
28Brian NoonanRW8113223528413415−510
44Chris ProngerD7871825−1811013156016
20Adam CreightonC6111102107813112−48
99Wayne Gretzky†C1881321−62132141620
25Peter Zezel†C5781321−2121030342
32Stephane Matteau†LW4671320−46511022−28
23Craig Johnson‡LW498715−430——————
15Mike Hudson†RW3231215726201114
5Igor Kravchuk†D4031215−6241015604
5Jeff Norton‡D364711426——————
34Murray BaronD822911319013101420
12[b]Rob Pearson†RW2764104542000114
35Christer OlssonD262810−6143000−10
22Ian Laperriere‡RW33369−487——————
22[c]David Roberts‡LW28167−712——————
27Steve Leach†RW14246−32211325410
18Tony TwistLW51325−110010112016
37Roman Vopat‡C25235−848——————
10Esa Tikkanen‡LW11145118——————
36Glenn Anderson†RW15224−1161114556
36J. J. Daigneault†‡D37134−624——————
27Denis Chasse‡RW42303−9108——————
37[d]Patrice Tardif‡C23303−212——————
26Jay WellsD76033−8671201102
17Basil McRaeLW18112−540200000
21Paul BrotenRW17011−14——————
4Dallas Eakins‡D16011−234——————
31Grant FuhrG79011820000
7Greg GilbertLW17011−18——————
13Yuri Khmylev†LW7011−50611214
23[e]Craig MacTavish†C13011−681302206
30Jon CaseyG90000120228
32Donald Dufresne‡D3000−24——————
22Charlie Huddy†D12000−761310118
1Pat Jablonski‡G10000——————
33Fred KnipscheerC100002——————
29Bruce RacineG11000210000
6Jamie RiversD3000−12——————
12[f]Kevin Sawyer‡LW6000−223——————
33Ken Sutton†D6000−14100000
41Alexander VasilevskiRW1000−10——————
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Goaltending

  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Blues only.
More information No., Player ...
No. Player Regular season Playoffs
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
31Grant Fuhr7930281621572092.87.903343652104510.87.978069
30Jon Casey9230180253.80.86103951266378362.89.9051747
1Pat Jablonski‡1000517.83.80008—————————
29Bruce Racine11030101123.13.8810230100000.0001
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Awards and records

Awards

More information Type, Award/honor ...
Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(in-season)		 NHL All-Star Game selection Brett Hull[g] [6]
Al MacInnis
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Milestones

More information Milestone, Player ...
Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Jamie Rivers October 7, 1995 [7]
Roman Vopat
Kevin Sawyer October 25, 1995
Bruce Racine November 18, 1995
Christer Olsson January 4, 1996
Alexander Vasilevski January 16, 1996
600th assist Glenn Anderson April 8, 1996 [8]
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Transactions

  • July 28, 1995 – Doug Lidster was traded by the St. Louis Blues to the New York Rangers in exchange for Jay Wells.

Draft picks

The 1995 NHL entry draft was held at Edmonton Coliseum in Edmonton, Canada. The drafting order was now set partially by a lottery system whereby teams would not be guaranteed first pick if they finished last.[9]

More information Round, Pick ...
Round Pick Name Nationality College/junior/club team
249Jochen Hecht (LW) GermanyAdler Mannheim (DEL)
375Scott Roche (G) CanadaNorth Bay Centennials (OHL)
4101Michal Handzus (C) SlovakiaIskra Banská Bystrica (Slovakia)
5127Jeffrey Ambrosio (LW) CanadaBelleville Bulls (OHL)
6153Denis Hamel (LW) CanadaChicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
7179Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre (D) CanadaVal-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL)
8205Derek Bekar (C) CanadaPowell River Paper Kings (BCJHL)
9209Libor Zabransky (D) Czech RepublicHC České Budějovice (Czech Republic)
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See also

Notes

  1. [a]
    Hawerchuk wore number 12 in his first twelve games.
  2. [b]
    Pearson wore number 27 through March 7.
  3. [c]
    Roberts wore number 15 through December 23.
  4. [d]
    Tardiff wore number 21 in his first five games.
  5. [e]
    MacTavish wore number 22 in his first game.
  6. [f]
    Sawyer wore number 36 in his first three games.
  7. [g]
    Hull was voted to the starting lineup.[5]

References

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