Bob Plager

Robert Bryant Plager (March 11, 1943 – March 24, 2021) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 14 seasons from 1964 until 1978, primarily for the St. Louis Blues. Plager spent over half a century with the Blues organization in various capacities.

Early career Plager was born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, on March 11, 1943. Plager played junior hockey with the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters and the Guelph Royals. Known for his aggressive, highly physical play, he broke what was then the Ontario Hockey Association record for penalty minutes in a season in 1961–62.

Blues playing career Plager was reunited with his brothers Bill and Barclay as all three took the ice for St. Louis Blues as the team started its existence with a hard-hitting, defensive-oriented squad that appeared in three straight Stanley Cup Finals. Plager earned a reputation as a bruising player with a devastating hip check. Off the ice, he was known as a prankster who was able to bond teammates through his lighthearted demeanor. Despite injuries, Plager was able to play 615 games over 11 years on the St. Louis blue line.

Post-playing career Plager retired from on-ice action in 1978 and took a job with the Blues front office. He is credited with developing the process of advanced scouting. During the 1990–91 season, he took over as head coach of the Peoria Rivermen, a Blues affiliate club. In his one-season behind the bench, he led the team to a Turner Cup championship and won the Commissioners' Trophy as coach of the year. During the 1992–93 season, he became the Blues' head coach, but, unhappy with his new role, he resigned after 11 games to return to his job as vice president of player development.

His jersey was retired on February 2, 2017, the seventh for a Blues player. He was either a player, coach or executive for nearly all of the Blues' existence until his death.

Personal life Plager's brothers, Bill and Barclay, also played in the NHL. Plager was a convert to Judaism.

Death Plager died of a "cardiac event" suffered while driving eastbound on Interstate 64, on March 24, 2021, leading to a two-vehicle collision. During a commemoration ceremony at Enterprise Center, organist Jeremy Boyer played "When The Blues Go Marching In" while Blues alumni carried his coffin out of Enterprise Center to be transported.

Career statistics Source:

Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1959–60 Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters OHA 44 0 1 1 37 5 0 1 1 4 1960–61 Guelph Royals OHA 43 3 12 15 99 14 3 8 11 73 1961–62 Guelph Royals OHA 50 5 22 27 161 — — — — — 1961–62 Kitchener-Waterloo Beavers EPHL 3 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 1962–63 Guelph Royals OHA 45 11 28 39 97 — — — — — 1962–63 Baltimore Clippers AHL 4 0 0 0 6 2 0 0 0 10 1963–64 St. Paul Rangers CHL 61 13 35 48 158 8 3 6 9 21 1964–65 New York Rangers NHL 10 0 0 0 18 — — — — — 1964–65 Vancouver Canucks WHL 31 5 12 17 103 — — — — — 1964–65 Baltimore Clippers AHL 19 2 12 14 27 5 0 0 0 6 1965–66 New York Rangers NHL 18 0 5 5 22 — — — — — 1965–66 Minnesota Rangers CHL 44 7 12 19 145 — — — — — 1966–67 New York Rangers NHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1966–67 Baltimore Clippers AHL 63 3 16 19 169 9 0 5 5 15 1967–68 St. Louis Blues NHL 53 2 5 7 86 18 1 2 3 69 1968–69 St. Louis Blues NHL 32 0 7 7 43 9 0 4 4 47 1968–69 Kansas City Blues CHL 5 1 3 4 16 — — — — — 1969–70 St. Louis Blues NHL 64 3 11 14 113 16 0 3 3 46 1970–71 St. Louis Blues NHL 70 1 19 20 114 6 0 2 2 4 1971–72 St. Louis Blues NHL 50 4 7 11 81 11 1 4 5 5 1972–73 St. Louis Blues NHL 77 2 31 33 107 5 0 2 2 2 1973–74 St. Louis Blues NHL 61 3 10 13 48 — — — — — 1974–75 St. Louis Blues NHL 73 1 14 15 53 2 0 0 0 20 1975–76 St. Louis Blues NHL 63 3 8 11 90 3 0 0 0 2 1976–77 St. Louis Blues NHL 54 1 9 10 23 4 0 0 0 0 1976–77 Kansas City Blues CHL 4 0 2 2 15 — — — — — 1977–78 Salt Lake Golden Eagles CHL 11 0 3 3 52 6 0 3 3 6 NHL totals 644 20 126 146 802 74 2 17 19 195

Coaching record Source: Team Year Regular season Postseason G W L T Pts Division rank ResultSt. Louis Blues1992–9311461(9)(resigned)—