Forward totaled 15 points in 14 games helping thrust Blues back into playoff picture
St. Louis Blues forward Jimmy Snuggerud was named the NHL's rookie of the month for March, the league announced.
The right wing, who posted 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 14 games, helped the Blues (31-31-11) to a 10-2-2 record in the month of March, which was the best record in the Western Conference and within four points of a playoff spot.
Snuggerud edged New York Islanders teammates Matthew Schaefer (16 points in 16 games) and Calum Ritchie (11 points in 16 games), New York Rangers right wing Gabe Perreault (14 points in 16 games), and Montreal Canadiens teammates Jakub Dobes (7-3-0, 2.21 goals-against average, .927 save percentage) and Ivan Demidov (11 points in 15 games) for the honor.
Snuggerud collected points in 10 of his 14 games to lead March rookies in goals (seven), even-strength goals (seven), even-strength assists (seven), even-strength points (14), plus/minus (plus-14) and game-winning goals while also ranking among the top three rookies in points (second with 15), shots on goal (second with 45) and assists (third with eight); he produced four straight multi-point performances from March 6-12 (5-4—9), a run achieved by only one other rookie in Blues history: Brian Benning (March 21-29, 1987: 2-9—11 in 5 GP).
He's come a long way from where he was earlier in the season.
"I think there was a lot of immaturity in my game I think," Snuggerud said after a 5-1 wi against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. "For me personally, just a lot of hope plays, not getting my head up, just kind of chucking pucks through the middle and I learned so much from ‘Schenner,’ and ‘Jakey’ helped me a lot with that too and ‘Tommer’ and the older guys of getting my head up and making plays through the neutral zone because that’s a lot of where the game’s played. Speed plays like that is something those guys have helped with a lot. It’s a legit example of those guys teaching us."
Snuggerud became the first St. Louis rookie to accumulate at least 15 points in a single calendar month since November 1989, when Rod Brind’Amour totaled 15 points (six goals, nine assists) across 14 games. Snuggerud also became the fourth Blues rookie this century to score at least seven goals in one calendar month, joining Zack Bolduc (eight in March 2025), David Backes (seven in February 2007) and Marty Reasoner (seven in February 2000).
The 21-year-old, a first-round pick (No. 23 overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft, has 39 points (17 goals, 22 assists) in 61 games this season to place among the rookie leaders in game-winning goals (1st; five), power-play goals (t-3rd; four), goals (t-4th; 17), points (t-4th; 39), shots on goal (5th; 144), assists (t-5th; 22), plus/minus (6th; +8) and power-play points (t-10th; eight). He is on pace to become the third St. Louis rookie in the past 30 years to have at least 40 points in a season, following Patrik Berglund (47 points; 21 goals, 27 assists in 2008-09) and Jim Campbell (43 points; 20 goals, 23 assists in 1996-97).
Snuggerud, who joins Schaefer (October), Minnesota Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt (November), Demidov (December) and Boston Bruins center Fraser Minten (January) as a recipient in 2025-26, is the first Blues player selected as a “Rookie of the Month” since goalie Jordan Binnington in March and February 2019. Snuggerud also is the first St. Louis skater in 13 years to receive the honor, following right wing Vladimir Tarasenko in January 2013.
"I think that’s one of the biggest things you want as a teammate. For me, one of the first guys to text me after I got drafted or followed me actually was ‘Boldy,'" Snuggerud said. "He’s gone now but Jake was the next guy. It’s just kind of the Blues way. I think it’s the way that it’s taught here, it’s the leadership core, it’s what’s brought upon guys. We’re a unit of one through losses and through wins. We like sticking together. It’s going well for us right now and I think we can just keep this ball rolling."
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