Bob Plager

Original-era Blues defenceman who played for St. Louis from 1967 to 1978 and stayed with the club for half a century.

Robert Bryant Plager (March 11, 1943 – March 24, 2021) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 14 NHL seasons from 1964 to 1978, mostly for the St. Louis Blues. He remained with the Blues organization in some role for more than 50 years. Born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Plager played junior hockey for the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters and the Guelph Royals, building a reputation for aggressive, physical play. In 1961–62, he broke the Ontario Hockey Association’s single-season record for penalty minutes. He signed with the New York Rangers in 1964 but appeared in only 29 games over three seasons, spending most of his time with the minor league Baltimore Clippers. The 1967 NHL expansion opened a spot for him: on June 6, 1967, the Rangers traded him to St. Louis along with Gary Sabourin, Tim Ecclestone, and Gord Kannegiesser for Rod Seiling.

With the Blues, Plager joined his brothers Bill and Barclay on the ice, forming a hard-hitting, defensive-minded squad that reached three straight Stanley Cup Finals. He became known for his bruising style and a devastating hip check, while off the ice his prankster personality helped bond teammates. Despite injuries, he played 615 games over 11 years on the St. Louis blue line.

After retiring as a player in 1978, Plager moved into the Blues front office. He is credited with developing the process of advanced scouting. In the 1990–91 season, he became head coach of the Blues’ affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen, leading them to a Turner Cup championship and earning the Commissioners’ Trophy as coach of the year. He took over as Blues head coach during the 1992–93 season but resigned after 11 games, unhappy with the role, and returned to his job as vice president of player development.

His jersey number was retired on February 2, 2017, making him the seventh Blues player so honored. He served as a player, coach, or executive for nearly the entire existence of the franchise until his death.

Plager’s brothers Bill and Barclay also played in the NHL, and all three played together for St. Louis from 1968 to 1972. Plager converted to Judaism.

He died on March 24, 2021, from a cardiac event while driving eastbound on Interstate 64, resulting in a two-vehicle collision. At a commemoration ceremony at Enterprise Center, organist Jeremy Boyer played “When The Blues Go Marching In” as Blues alumni carried his coffin out of the arena.