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The last time that the Blues hosted an All Star Game was 1988. Mario Lemieux was the MVP. The Arena was still standing.
It’s been a while.
The Scottrade Center last hosted a major NHL event in 1996, where Chris Phillips was selected first overall by the Ottawa Senators. The Blues are hoping that their recent renovations - including a massive jumbotron - will help lure the NHL back to the former Kiel Center in a couple of years.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Blues have submitted bids for the 2020 and 2021 NHL All Star Games. Getting the All Star Game would be an opportunity for the city to see some major benefits in their investment in the form of tax dollars and local business revenue. The awarding of the ASG could be the carrot on the stick that the team needs to get future financing approved.
The renovations to Scottrade are on-track to be completed by 2019.
By all accounts, Gary Bettman was pleased with St. Louis and how the city hosted the 2017 NHL Winter Classic, and the event brought in some bank to downtown businesses. Hopefully the success of the Winter Classic coupled with the improvements to the building will give St. Louis the boost in needs to acquire its first NHL All Star Game in over 30 years. It’s been long enough.