CHICAGO – It didn’t take St. Louis Blues defenseman Cam Fowler too long to figure out that the 2025 Discover NHL Winter Classic would be extra special for him. It was enough of a life change when Fowler was traded to the Blues by the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 14 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/st-louis-blues/latest-news/breaking-blues-acquire-cam-fowler-from-ducks], but thanks to a helping hand from his wife Jasmine, Fowler quickly realized that this special event on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field would quite the milestone: his 1,000th NHL game. Defenseman to become first player in NHL history to accomplish feat in outdoor game “It was either the day of or the day after the trade my wife told me,” Fowler said Monday from Wrigley Field. “I didn’t even put it together that the Blues were playing in the Winter Classic. I had so much stuff going on in my mind. And then for it to line up with 1,000, so many things had to fall into place. She did say if I played that first game in Dallas and everything went well, that it could like up for the Winter Classic. Luckily it did.” Fowler was in Columbus with the Ducks when the deal was consummated, quickly got to the airport and flew from Columbus to Dallas for the Blues’ game against the Dallas Stars that night. “It was a team decision, but I was definitely willing to get in there as quickly as I could,” Fowler said with a smile. “It’s going to be crazy. The whole day is just going to be pretty surreal. I’ll try and soak it in as best as I can. Obviously thrilled to have my family and friends here to experience it all with me. The game itself is going to be an incredible experience and then you mix in the personal accomplishments. Tie that all in together, it’s going to be a special day.” Fowler, 33, played 991 of his games with the Ducks and will play in his ninth game with the Blues. It’s probably unfair that after 14-plus seasons with one organization that he has to achieve the milestone with another franchise, sort of like when Martin Brodeur played 1,259 of his 1,266 regular-season games with the New Jersey Devils before finishing his brilliant career with the Blues. But this is the scenario that played out and had Fowler not been traded to St. Louis, this would be a moot point. He's been a tremendous addition to the Blues' blue line. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/st-louis-blues/players/fowlers-fit-with-blues-better-than-anyone-could-have-imagined] “When I found out about six games ago that his 1,000th game was going to be here, I had a conversation with him about not many people get to play, 1,000 games with the same team, but this has to be the second-best possibility, and he had a big smile on his face,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “It’s going to be a great moment for him and I just think spiritually that’s something that makes the trade and us acquiring him even more special.” Fowler agreed. “I know that it’s probably a rare thing,” he said. “For that, I’m thankful for the opportunity. I didn’t even really put it together for a long time that I even had the opportunity to play 1,000 games. It was never something I thought was possible. I’ve dreamt of getting to the NHL and I’ve been fortunate to have a long career. I honestly don’t think I’ve processed it all yet and I probably won’t for a little while. All I know is that I’m excited to have everyone here and more excited to be a part of this special event and try to get a win for our team.” Everyone included his nearly three-year-old son Charlie, who was on the ice with Fowler for the family skate on Monday. “It was awesome,” proud papa Cam said. “Obviously the whole experience getting on the ice for the first time and then spending some time with the family. It was an incredible experience and that was even before the game. I can only imagine what tomorrow’s going to be like. “He’s trying to figure it out as best as he can. He likes to only skate with his heels, so his whole skate’s up in that air, which makes my job a little harder. He enjoys doing it, so I’m happy to see that at least.” As much as the family man as he is, Fowler's former teammate with the Ducks, not with the Chicago Blackhawks, Pat Maroon, endorses the Blues' acquisition. "The Blues got a good one," Maroon said. "He's a great guy, great family man, works his tail off. He's still a helluva player. He's just the ultimate teammate. It's great to see him in a Bluenote. I'm really happy for him. Obviously it's not the end (in Anaheim) he probably wanted. I'm sure he wanted to chase 1,000 games with that team that he's been with for this many years. ... He's an ultimate pro, a great teammate, great leader and I'm happy that he's in a spot that's a great locker room over there. They're going to make him feel warm right away." Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA5MjcwNjk1MDQ0MDY0NDYy/subscribe2024-front-banner.jpg]
