Keith Tkachuk Scores His 500th

by Brad Lee on Apr 6, 2008 4:44 PM CDT

By Brad Lee

Keith "Big Walt" Tkachuk scored his 500th career goal in the waning seconds of the 2007-08 season. It was en empty netter from inside his own blue line. It was also shorthanded. It came during the Blues' season finale Sunday in a 4-1 win in Columbus. His first career NHL goal came for the Winnipeg Jets March 18, 1992.

Tkachuk becomes the fourth American player to hit the plateau and the 41st player overall. Jeremy Rutherford of the Post-Dispatch described the goal well.

Tkachuk was helping kill off a Blues penalty, which became a 6-on-4 advantage for Columbus when goalie Fredrik Norrena was pulled. The puck came off the stick of Ryan Johnson and went to Tkachuk, who rifled it 175 feet straight into the opposite-end goal.

"I never thought it would be a penalty-killing situation," Tkachuk said, laughing. "I'm usually the last guy they have on the ice penalty killing."

His wife and kids were back in St. Louis, but Tkachuk experienced the next best feeling. His teammates hurdled the bench and skated across the ice to mob the 36-year-old.

"I don't care how macho you are ... it makes you feel pretty good," Tkachuk said.
In an interview with Chris Pinkert for the Blues' Web site, Tkachuk put the milestone in perspective:

"I want to win," Tkachuk said. "I mean, (500) is a number and I've been blessed to be in the NHL a long time, even more blessed to play with a lot of great players. That's the reason I'm at the number.

"But at this point, I want to win and I want to win here. That would mean everything."
Look, this season was a complete bust. I smiled when I saw the puck go in the net and knew it was No. 500. It was a nice moment. But it sure as hell doesn't make missing the playoffs feel any better. And while I've always liked Tkachuk for his style, his sense of humor with reporters and on the radio, he's been mostly a disappointment during his tenure with the Blues. But that doesn't mean we don't want to see the guy do well.

Here is a quick retrospective of Walt, who has aged before our eyes.

In college:
Apparently they can't afford color photos at Boston University.

In Winnipeg:
Yes, there used to be a team in Winnipeg.

In Phoenix:
Color blind fans even think that's ugly.

In Atlanta:
Powder blue? Really?

After scoring goal 500:
It was a nice moment.

The 500th puck:

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Comments

wow i guess charlton was right, that kt would get his 500 goal when keith “pries it from my cold, dead hands”

too soon?

by Childhood Trauma on Apr 6, 2008 5:16 PM CDT reply actions

whoops

anyways, congrats to walt.

by pdub on Apr 6, 2008 6:08 PM CDT reply actions

Tkachuk really picked up his play in the last 10 games or so. Too bad he didnt play like that all year, but congrats Walt!

by Scot C on Apr 6, 2008 6:24 PM CDT reply actions

Thus begins the death march to 600…

by JGB on Apr 6, 2008 6:36 PM CDT reply actions

I have been a harsh critic, but that was cool. My son and I set a TV up on the deck, drank beer (me) and soda (him) and watched the last game of the season. All the while my kid was rooting for Keith to net the big one. KT did not dissapoint. Props, Big Guy.

by StLooFrenchy on Apr 6, 2008 6:48 PM CDT reply actions

Cheers to Walt. We’ve all been hard on him this year, but 500 goals is a hell of a feat. Way to go Walt!!!!!

by Johnny Stats on Apr 6, 2008 11:03 PM CDT reply actions

fuck tkachoke and his fat laziness. i’m only glad it’s one more american to get to that level. he’s right to give credit to the talent he’s played with. especially this year.

by chris d. on Apr 7, 2008 1:32 AM CDT reply actions

i love how he got an assist on boyes’s goal also, since it went through his skates after deflecting off the defenseman’s skates. loved how the scorers robbed erik johnson of goals this season b/c he was around the net.

by chris d. on Apr 7, 2008 1:34 AM CDT reply actions

but one other great thing about that goal is that columbus said they wouldn’t let him score that goal against them. haha fuck you columbus.

now comes the fun part. it’s a sure bet that in the first round i’ll be hapy b/c either detriot or nashville well get that dubious honor.

by chris d. on Apr 7, 2008 1:36 AM CDT reply actions

Good for Chunky Pants – guess we’ll have a nice ceremony next season for him. Thought it was cool TPTB in Toronto “allowed” the gang onto the ice to celebrate – just surreal you have to ask permission to do that after a big benchmark is reached. I swear Manny gave him a kiss on the cheek! :)

by Diana on Apr 7, 2008 8:45 AM CDT reply actions