Bob Plager, the former NHL bruiser for the St. Louis Blues, died in a car crash Wednesday in St. Louis, according to regional news reports. He was 78 years old.
Details of the crash are unclear. It is reported so far that it was a two-vehicle crash in St. Louis that sent Plager to the hospital. He was pronounced dead in the hospital. A woman was also admitted to the hospital as a result of the crash, but she was only treated for small injuries.
Blue general manager Doug Armstrong delivered a statement after he heard of the news of Plager’s death.
“Our thoughts and prayers go to Bobby Jr, Melissa, and the entire Plager family,” Armstrong said.
Bob Plager was a hard-hitting defenseman who spent more than 50 years with the Blues as a player, coach, scout, and ambassador. His career on the ice started in 1964, and he’d go on the play 14 seasons. Plager’s time on the Blues began in 1967 where he helped the Blues go to three straight Stanley Cup finals alongside his brothers, Barclay and Billy. Barclay died in 1988, and Bill died in 2016.
Plager joined the Blues front office following his retirement in 1978. In 1990, he led a Blues minor league team to a championship. He became the Blues head coach in 1992 where he resigned after 11 games to return as vice president of player development. The franchise had retired his jersey in 2017.
“As Bobby would fondly say, he’s number five in your program, but number one in your hearts. That holds true today, and forever as Bobby truly is the St. Louis Blues,” Armstrong added.
