Building the Next Championship Core

A Message from St. Louis Blues General Manager Max Lauzon

Success in this league isn't measured by one great season.

It's measured by the ability to build a contender, win a championship, and then have the courage to build the next one.

Over the past several seasons, our organization has experienced the highest of highs. Together with Head Coach Rod Brind'Amour, we've built a culture that brought the DCHL Stanley Cup to St. Louis. That championship will always be one of the proudest moments in franchise history.

But hockey is constantly evolving.

As our championship core matured, we reached a point where difficult decisions had to be made. Rather than hold onto the past, we chose to invest in the future.

We accumulated draft capital, moved valuable assets at the right time, and committed to building another championship-caliber team the right way.

Today, that vision begins to take shape.

A Franchise-Changing Draft

The St. Louis Blues enter today's draft with an unprecedented opportunity:

First Round

• 4th Overall
• 7th Overall
• 11th Overall
• 15th Overall
• 24th Overall
• 26th Overall
• 28th Overall

Second Round

• 34th Overall
• 38th Overall
• 55th Overall

Third Round

• 66th Overall

Fourth Round

• 98th Overall
• 102nd Overall
• 110th Overall
• 120th Overall

Fifth Round

• 130th Overall

Sixth Round

• 162nd Overall

Seventh Round

• 194th Overall

Eighteen draft selections.

Seven first-round picks.

This is an opportunity few organizations ever receive, and we're prepared to make the most of it.

Staying True to Our Identity

Since Rod Brind'Amour joined this organization, our identity has been clear: compete every shift, play with discipline, and put the team first.

Those values won't change.

Every player selected today must fit the culture we've spent years building.

Talent opens the door.

Character keeps it open.

The Goal Hasn't Changed

Some may call this a rebuild.

I prefer to call it the next chapter.

Our expectation has never been to simply make the playoffs.

Our expectation is to compete for the DCHL Stanley Cup every season.

Sometimes that requires difficult decisions and patience.

Today's draft gives us the chance to accelerate that process and establish the next generation of St. Louis Blues hockey.

To Blues Fans

Thank you for believing in our vision.

You supported us through a championship, and you've continued to support us as we've positioned ourselves for another run.

The work isn't finished.

In many ways, it's just beginning.

By the end of today, I expect our prospect pool to be among the strongest in the DCHL, and I firmly believe the players we select today will become the foundation of our next championship team.

We'll always respect what we've accomplished.

Now it's time to build what's next.

Max Lauzon
General Manager
St. Louis Blues