Friday, November 11, 2005
Blues to retire MacInnis' #2
It's been 14 years since the last time the St. Louis Blues have retired a uniform number (Bernie Federko), and now Al MacInnis will have his #2 raised to the rafters of the Savvis Center (aka Preppy Heaven).
Although "Chopper" played more seasons with the Calgary Flames than the St. Louis Blues, I will always think of MacInnis as a Blues player (I am a Blues fan, duh) and it seems fitting that his uniform number gets retired in St. Louis before it get retired in Calgary (if the Flames decide to do that).
Full story here.
The St. Louis Blues today announced that former defenseman Al MacInnis’ No. 2 jersey will be retired on April 9 during a special in-game ceremony versus the Edmonton Oilers. He officially announced his retirement from a stellar professional playing career on September 9 after spending 23 seasons in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues and Calgary Flames.
“We are extremely pleased to announce that Al MacInnis will be the last Blues player to ever wear No. 2,” said Blues President & CEO Mark Sauer. “The sight of Al’s jersey hanging from the rafters of Savvis Center will serve as permanent testimony to his tremendous career in St. Louis.”
MacInnis will become only the fifth Blues player in franchise history to have his jersey number retired. Other Blues include: Bob Gassoff (No. 3 on Oct. 1, 1977), Barclay Plager (No. 8 on March 9, 1982), Brian Sutter (No. 11 on Dec. 30, 1988) and Hall of Famer Bernie Federko (No. 24 on March 16, 1991).
“I am truly honored that the Blues have elected to retire my number, and I’m flattered to join the list of players who have been recognized before me,” said MacInnis. “I will always consider myself part of the Blues family and will look back on my playing days here with fond memories of my teammates, my coaches, the staff and, last but not least, the fans.”
Now, with Brett Hull retired recently, when can we expect to see Brett Hull's #16 join Al's #2? Arguably, Brett Hull did more for the Blues and hockey in St. Louis than even Al MacInnis. Even if Bratt left for the $$ and won a cup with Dallas, he'll always be remembered first and foremost as a Blues player.
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I agree with you wholeheartedly. I won't remember Golden Brett as a Star or a Red Wing even though he won cups with both of those teams.
Although the circumstances are a little different, it's like the Ron Francis thing. He won two cups with Pittsburgh, sure, but he should be remembered by the hockey universe as a Whaler/Cane. And it had better damn well be his red #10 sweater that ultimately hangs in the Hall.
Although the circumstances are a little different, it's like the Ron Francis thing. He won two cups with Pittsburgh, sure, but he should be remembered by the hockey universe as a Whaler/Cane. And it had better damn well be his red #10 sweater that ultimately hangs in the Hall.
Unlike the MLB hall of fame, Hockey players don't go into the hall under a certain team's banner, etc... they just have their mug on a plaque with a description. Francis is similar to Mac in that he 'belongs' to two teams, although MacInnis went back to the Flames for a 2nd time.
There wouldn't be any number more appropriate to be retired than #10 in Carolina or #19 in Detroit or #16 in Vancouver. (Nobody is going to remember Linden as a Hab or Islander)
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There wouldn't be any number more appropriate to be retired than #10 in Carolina or #19 in Detroit or #16 in Vancouver. (Nobody is going to remember Linden as a Hab or Islander)
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