On June 12, 2019, the St. Louis Blues hoisted the Stanley Cup for the primary time in franchise historical past. A member of the celebrations, having performed in 15 playoff video games for the Blues, St. Louis draft choose Sammy Blais additionally received his probability to carry the cup. Now, 5 years after serving to carry a franchise their first championship, it’s hoped that Blais will do the identical in Vancouver.
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Blais began his profession with St. Louis, being picked by the Blues within the sixth spherical of the 2014 NHL Draft, 176th total. He made his NHL debut within the 2017–18 common season, the place he performed 11 video games and scored one aim and two assists. The subsequent yr could be progressive for Blais, who break up video games between St. Louis and the San Antonio Rampage (now the Henderson Silver Knights). With publicity to each the NHL and the AHL, Blais discovered to adapt to every league’s type.
“Once I was within the AHL, it was extra like scoring quicker,” the ahead remarked. “However once you get to the NHL, everybody has expertise, and also you’re not at all times getting top-line minutes.”
Related: Vancouver Canucks Invite Sammy Blais To 2024 Training Camp On A PTO
These adjustments pressured Blais to pivot, emphasizing a unique space of his recreation. Whereas he as soon as tore up the AHL offensively, tallying 40 factors in 43 video games with San Antonio within the 2017–18 common season, Blais is now identified for a unique type of play. His former coaches “preferred the bodily recreation and taking part in arduous.
“I believe that’s form of my recreation, arduous to play towards,” stated Blais. “You’ve received to do one thing else to face out. And for me, it was being bodily, being arduous to play towards, and that’s what’s made many profitable within the NHL.”
Being part of the Stanley Cup-winning group in 2018–19 noticed a career-shift for Blais. The remainder of this primary stint with the Blues noticed Blais solely getting NHL taking part in time, partly as a result of the truth that the Vegas Golden Knights purchased the Rampage but in addition as a result of his 13 and 15 factors in 40 and 36 video games, respectively. The scrappy ahead could be relied on for some fourth-line offensive manufacturing, in addition to a bodily, possessive play type that can make it more durable for opposing groups to get the puck.
“I’m nonetheless participant offensively, however typically it’s more durable to point out once you play [on the] fourth line,” he clarified. “However I’m capable of make some good performs, and for me, it’s simply being assured with the puck and simply taking part in my recreation.”
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Earlier than the beginning of the 2021–22 common season, Blais was traded to the New York Rangers, the place he spent slightly below two seasons. His first marketing campaign lasted 14 video games, by which he put up 4 assists, whereas his second season within the Huge Apple noticed him enterprise again to the AHL earlier than being despatched again to the Blues.
“Once I received traded to the Rangers, I believe I used to be taking part in good,” he famous of his performances with New York. “Once I received damage, and getting back from that, that harm was fairly arduous — however now I really feel good and really feel assured on the ice.”
Blais’ return to St. Louis in 2023 marked the largest offensive output of his profession within the NHL, with the ahead scoring 9 objectives and 11 assists in 31 video games. This led the Blues to signal him to a one-year deal value a complete of $1M.
“Once I received again to St. Louis, I used to be put in a state of affairs to achieve success, and I believe I proved it.”
Following his return to St. Louis, Blais joined group Canada on the World Championship, the place he performed alongside Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers. When he returned to St. Louis the season after, he scored one aim and 6 assists in 53 video games. Positive, it was a down yr for Blais, however this solely helped forge a possibility for him in Vancouver. It’s a brand new metropolis, a brand new market, and a brand new contract for the Canadian ahead.
“It is form of new approaching a brand new group and on a PTO, so I’m simply attempting to be myself on the market,” he stated. “Usually, I am going onto a group with a contract and stuff. It has been a little bit nerve-wracking. However, like I stated, I’ve been round a very long time within the NHL, so I form of know what to do to achieve success.
Vancouver Canucks Normal Supervisor Patrik Allvin introduced right this moment that F Sammy Blais has signed a contract with Abbotsford (AHL) and has additionally been invited to Vancouver Canucks coaching camp (PTO). pic.twitter.com/AyYXvYYClC
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) August 22, 2024
“I’m gonna have to point out what I can do. And for me, it’s identical to I stated — play my recreation. Be arduous to play towards. And I believe if I do this, I’ll be good.”
New settings and new groups can solely imply one factor for a participant like Blais — new alternatives. It’s but to be decided whether or not that will probably be with Vancouver or Abbotsford, however regardless, the Canucks group will be capable of lean on the versatile roleplaying that Blais can present.
