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Are you ready to get struck squarely in your nostalgia bone? The St.Louis Blues have announced their old timers roster for the Winter Classic Alumni game. From the team’s official press release:
Wayne Gretzky, who played 18 games with the Blues during the 1995-96 season, will wear the Blue Note once again when the Blues Alumni take on the Chicago Blackhawks Alumni on Saturday, Dec. 31 at Busch Stadium, just two days ahead of the 2017 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.
In addition to Gretzky, the Blues Alumni roster will include Hall of Famers Brett Hull, Al MacInnis, Bernie Federko, Adam Oates, Peter Stastny and Chris Pronger.
In fact, the entire 27-man Blues roster combined for 5,931 goals and 10,848 assists in the regular season (16,779 points).
The Winter Classic alumni game will be played at 1:30 p.m. and will consist of three 20-minute periods with a running clock and two 12-minute intermissions.
The Blackhawks roster will be announced soon.
Blues coaches include legends Red Berenson, Bob Plager, Brian Sutter and Garry Unger will be behind the bench as coaches.
Tickets for the Winter Classic on Jan. 2 between the Blues and Blackhawks are also good for the Winter Classic Alumni game on Dec. 31.
Forwards
Larry Patey (#6), Keith Tkachuk (#7), Dallas Drake (#10), Adam Oates (#12), Brett Hull (#16), Gino Cavallini (#17), Scott Mellanby (#19), Bernie Federko (#24), Peter Stastny (#26), Terry Yake (#27), Kelly Chase (#39), Scott Young (#48), Pierre Turgeon (#77) and Wayne Gretzky (#99).
Defense
Al MacInnis (#2), Bruce Affleck (#4), Barret Jackman (#5), Garth Butcher (#5), Jamie Rivers (#6), Paul Cavallini (#14), Jeff Brown (#21), Bryce Salvador (#27) and Chris Pronger (#44).
Goaltenders
Mike Liut (#1), Martin Brodeur (#30), Ed Staniowski (#31) and Chris Mason (#50).
Holy shit, Wayne Gretzky? Despite telling the press that his last alumni game with the Oilers might be the last time he might lace ‘em up, The Great One will skate for the Blues one last time during their Alumni game at Busch Stadium on New Year’s Eve.
In what might be a first - Chris Pronger, who is technically still under contract with the Arizona Coyotes on long term injured reserve - will play for St.Louis as an alumni player despite being currently on an NHL roster as an active player.
The Blues made some interesting choices for the goaltenders in the Alumni game. Mike Liut suiting up is incredible, and Chris Mason put in some solid hours here, but how about Curtis Joseph or Grant Fuhr?