Forward replaces Brayden Schenn, who was traded to Islanders late last season; Parayko, Neighbours, Broberg, Holloway named as alternates
ST. LOUIS -- Robert Thomas has been named the 25th captain in St. Louis Blues history, the team announced on Wednesday afternoon.
The forward, who was the subject of trade rumors as late as the ladder portion of last season, replaces Brayden Schenn, who was captain from 2023-26 before being traded at last season's trade deadline to the New York Islanders.
Also, Colton Parayko, Jake Neighbours, Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway have been named alternates and will rotate wearing the A's between home and road games.
The 27-year-old Thomas, the 20th pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, has spent his entire eight-year career with the Blues and has 460 points (132 goals, 328 assists) in 530 regular-season games, has five years remaining on a contract that pays him $8.125 million average annual value. Thomas's name was linked to several trade rumors leading up to the trade deadline last season but reaffirmed his commitment to the team after several off-season changes in an effort to improve the quality of the team and better itself to make a run at the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
When Alexander Steen, a teammate of Thomas when the two won the Stanley Cup in 2019, was announced as the Blues' next general manager, Thomas said then he was committed to St. Louis and the Blues.
Thomas follows in a line of previous captains in Blues history prior to Schenn, including Ryan O'Reilly, Alex Pietrangelo, David Backes, Al MacInnis, Chris Pronger, Brett Hull, Bernie Federko, Wayne Gretzky, Scott Stevens and others.
It's a good move, and the right move, to try and insert a player that has term and commitment to grow within the organization for multiple years. The Blues have only had two captains (Backes, 2011-16 and Pronger, 1997-2002) last more than four years since 1988 when Brian Sutter was captain for nine years after being named in 1979.
Thomas and the Blues will address Wednesday's announcement at a press conference on Thursday at noon from Enterprise Center and more will be available then.
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