Pietrangelo is the 21st player in Blues’ History to Wear the “C”

A void that was left when former St. Louis Blues’ captain, David Backes, signed with the Boston Bruins this off-season. That void has now been filled with a competent and charismatic defenseman. General manager Doug Armstrong and head coach Ken Hitchcock officially named Alex Pietrangelo as the new team captain for the 2016-2017 season.

Alex Pietrangelo has become a cornerstone for the Blues both on and off the ice. His leadership within the team was somewhat thwarted by the affable – I really should have said laughable -- leadership style of David Backes. Many will argue that Backes was a great team captain, but one has to wonder if this changing of the guard, sort of speak, will be the boost that Blues need to slay their playoff demons once and for all.

It will be exciting to see how Pietrangelo’s influence, without Backes there, affects his teammates individually as well as a whole team. His steady presence the past few years has impacted younger players and made them strive to meet his stringent standards. 

Now he has the opportunity to embrace his captaincy and mold this new St. Louis Blues team into the playoff powerhouse that the city has dreamed they could become.

The only major hindrance I can foresee within Pietrangelo’s future is outgoing head coach Ken Hitchcock and head coach-elect Mike Yeo. There will be a power struggle happening this year behind the Blues bench and it is a shame that Pietrangelo’s first season as team captain will be marred by this unusual situation.