ST. LOUIS -- Come February, there will be two retired Plager banners hanging above the St. Louis Blues' rink. Bobby Plager's day has come.
The Blues announced Friday they will retire Plager's No. 5 jersey. His brother Barclay Plager's No. 8 banner already hangs from the rafters at Scottrade Center, along with five more players: Al MacInnis (2), Bob Gassoff (3), Brian Sutter (11), Brett Hull (16) and Bernie Federko (24).
The official banner-raising ceremony will take place Feb. 2, when the Blues host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Fans will have their first chance to congratulate Bobby Saturday night when the Blues recognize him during the first period of their game against the Los Angeles Kings.
Bobby and Barclay Plager join Maurice and Henri Richard (Montreal Canadiens) as the only brothers to have their numbers retired by the same NHL team.
Bobby, who was acquired from the Rangers on June 6, 1967, has spent the last five decades in the Blues' organization. In 10 seasons with the Blues, Bobby racked up 615 regular-season games, 141 points and 762 penalty minutes. He retired from the NHL following the 1977-78 season and since has held several positions with the organization, including head coach, director of professional scouting and vice president and director of player development. He also served as head coach of the Peoria Rivermen during the 1990-91 season and captured the 1991 Turner Cup.
A No. 5 banner, shadowed by a Blue heart, originally ascended to the rafters of Scottrade Center when the Blues honored Bobby for his franchise-long commitment and service to the team both on and off the ice. The original banner paid homage to one of Bobby's favorite sayings, "Number 5 in your programs, number 1 in your hearts." The No. 5 jersey, however, was never officially retired and was most recently worn by Barret Jackman. The ceremony Feb. 2 will make the retirement of his jersey official.
