(Photo courtesy of St. Louis Blues / blues.nhl.com). We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. He was 70. You won't find many people the Blues' Stanley Cup title has more meaning to than the Plagers. Billy Plager, one of three Plager brothers to play for the Blues, died early Sunday morning. (Photo courtesy of St. Louis Blues / blues.nhl.com) Billy Plager, one of three Plager. On March 24, 1981, the Blues retired Barclay Plager's No. He would play 11 seasons with the Blues before retiring as a player in 1978, but he was so loyal to the Blue Note he never moved back home to Kirkland Lake, Ontario, instead choosing to live in St. Louis and remain close to the team. Other Links. Bobby mentioned the name of seven former Blues, including his brother, during the tribute. 8 jersey has been retired by the St. Louis Blues, Biographical information and career statistics from, This page was last edited on 7 May 2022, at 23:03. Follow Jeremy on Twitter @jprutherford, https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2019/09/03124738/IMG_0825-1-converted-with-Clipchamp-converted-with-Clipchamp.mp4, https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2019/09/03130456/IMG_0840.TRIM-1-converted-with-Clipchamp.mp4, https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2019/09/03140812/IMG_0851-converted-with-Clipchamp.mp4. They lined up one after the other, and after Helen drank from it, her children followed. Blues legend Bob Plager passed away on March 24, 2021, at the age of 78, after a car crash on I-64 in St. Louis. With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Robert Bryant Plager (Saint Louis, Missouri), who passed away on March 24, 2021 at the age of 78. He passed away in 1988 from an inoperable brain tumor. In the postseason, they took turns visiting his gravesite, leaving Lets Go Blues signs and rally towels on his headstone. He received a text message from the Blues that it would be Sept. 1 and passed that along to his daughter, Melissa Briggs, who began the planning. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. Plager's day with the Cup included visits to daughter Melissa Briggs' home and the new Maryville University Hockey Center, where he surprised grandson Jacob Briggs' team, the Chesterfield Falcons, and got an assist from Blues defenseman Colton Parayko hoisting the trophy. I was busy with four kids and never really thought about what it meant until the years kept going by and by and by and my kids were getting older, Helen said. He said, Its got grandpas blood all down here.. Originally his rights were held by the New York Ranges, but were acquired with future star Red Berenson by the newly enfranchised Blues in 1967. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Plager and St. Louis general manager Doug Armstrong poured a drink from the Cup to toast Barclay, whose wife, Helen, was on hand for the visit at Bellerive Gardens Cemetery in Creve Coeur. N.B. Barclay Plager; Hockey Player, 46 - The New York Times Subscribe with this special offer to keep reading, (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). "I knew it was going to the grave, that was going to be the first thing for my brother Barclay," Plager said. Id say, Hey, your boys really need it tonight. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. All rights reserved. That included being swept 4-0 in the Stanley Cup Final each of their first three seasons (also Montreal Canadiens in 1968 and 1969). We finally did it! she said. It was a dream season, said Kevin Plager, 48, one of Barclay and Helens two sons. Hockeydb.com - Hockey Statistics and History for the NHL and more! He was 46 years old and was an assistant coach with the Blues at the time of his death. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. There were a few tears, for sure.. But their family friendship continues to. Verify and try again. "It was Barclay, Noel, Jimmy Roberts, Dan Kelly, who announced our games, the Solomons owned us. My dad and him were very close he was over every night when my dad was sick, Karri said. The deal proved extremely successful for the Blues, for Berenson became the first great offensive star of the newly minted Western Division, while Plager anchored a stingy defence that allowed the fewest goals in the NHL in 1969, the second fewest in 1970, and the third fewest in 1971. It just goes to show what they did back then and what they still mean to the city.. His reputation was established while still in juniors, when he had a notable fight with his own brother Bob, who was playing for the rival Guelph Royals. Billy Plager, brother of Bobby and Barclay Plager, played 127 games for the Blues in the early 1970s. You talk to some of the players and tell them to enjoy it now because you never know when this will happen again.". Picard was a defenseman for six seasons for the Blues before being let go in the 1972-73 season and finishing his career with Atlanta. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. The decorations brought warmth to his loved ones and good luck to the team, but there was one thing missing. He was survived by both of his brothers. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. To use this feature, use a newer browser. There were also framed photos of Barclay and one of all three brothers, including Billy Plager. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Sign up for the 5 On Your Side Sports Plus newsletter. I cant even tell you how excited I was, Karen said. Ive never had more respect for anybody than Barc.. Try again later. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. CHESTERFIELD, Mo. He became a defensive mainstay for the new team, being named team Captain in 1970, a role he would hold until he neared retirement. I should have went there right after work, but I didnt, I went home. It was like, Yeah, but hes just my dad.. Plager played 645 games in 11 seasons for the Blues from 1967-78. Three killed in Russian missile attack on Dnipro: Governor Bud Light, the Gloria beer, came out in an eight-pack. We did it! The way it worked out and how special it was in Boston the last time we were there (in 1970), and I was on the ice in Boston, and I had to watch them hoist the Stanley Cup. Its super cool, Kevin said. Five for me, eight for Barc, and Barcs best friend, Noel, No. Tom Timmermann is a City SC beat writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. There is a problem with your email/password. Oops, we were unable to send the email. He also had health issues and underwent an exam for some scar tissue on his brain, believed to be the result of an injury suffered earlier in his career. Learn more about managing a memorial . Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Plager'S Death Leaves Many Solemn All-stars You look around, you see the smiles, how everybody is taking this all in. The defenseman retired following the 1977-78 season after two seasons in the CHL. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Rudderless ship of chaos: St. Louis judge advances Kim Gardner contempt case, Cardinals send prized prospect Jordan Walker to Class AAA in curious series of moves, What Oliver Marmols gamble in ninth vs. LA reveals about managing to spark Cardinals, How sending Jordan Walker to Class AAA is a bet clarity can correct muddled outfield: Cardinals Extra, Bud Light sales continue to plummet after transgender marketing controversy, The world watches (and makes donations) as St. Louis bald eagle raises eaglet from a rock, A closer on ice. 0 cemeteries found in Creve Coeur, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA. "We need to talk about where the International League is going. Hes flying high up there right now, Helen chimed in. I did my thing, but what you want more than anything else is to let them fill it up and watch my family and Barclays family take a drink out of it, Bobby said. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. There was a piece of their era in the crowd, as Kevins son Jack, 13, was wearing one of Barclays original sweaters. Its fantastic! Helen said seconds after her lips came off. Our most heartfelt condolences go out to his brother Bobby and the entire Plager family.". It was the first day of the ninth month, so the date didnt have numerical significance, but little did the family know then, the timing would. Billy Plager dies at 70; one of three Blues brothers. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2023. Search above to list available cemeteries. Find out more. Tweet from @lkorac10: Bob Plager said with his bad shoulder, he can't be lifting the Cup over his head. Helen Plager, the widow of former Blues player and coach Barclay Plager, stood near the chapel of Bellerive Gardens Cemetery last Sunday and recalled what she whispered to her late husband during this years Stanley Cup playoffs. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Monday, May 1, 4:58AM. That was the first time I teared up when they did that, Karen added. He is the author of "Bernie Federko: My Blues Note" and "100 Things Blues Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die." In 1933, Dnipropetrovsk State University was .