Former St. Louis Blues head coach, Craig Berube, received a warm welcome from Blues fans as he returned to St. Louis as an opposing coach for the first time. Nearly 20,000 fans gave Berube a heartfelt ovation during a break in the Blues’ home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The emotional moment was captured in a touching video tribute posted by the Blues on social media, showing Berube smiling and waving to the crowd.
In an interview with FOX 2’s Martin Kilcoyne before the game, Berube expressed his emotions about returning to St. Louis, saying, “It will be emotional tonight for sure. Got a lot of good memories here. I’m treated really well here.” Berube made history as the only head coach to lead the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup title in their 57-year history. He took over on an interim basis during the 2018-19 season and transformed the team from last place in the Western Conference to a Stanley Cup champion.
During his tenure with the Blues from 2019-2022, Berube led the team to four consecutive playoff appearances. His regular season record of 206-132-44 ranks third for a head coach in Blues history. Despite his successful run, Berube was let go last year, primarily due to team performance rather than his strong connections with the organization and fanbase.
Reflecting on his time in St. Louis, Berube shared, “It’s great to be back here and see people and friends. It’s a special place for me. I made a lot of good friends here with people in the organization and players. It will always be special.” He also praised the passionate sports fans in St. Louis, saying, “The people are great here and very passionate about their sports. I’ve made a lot of good friends here.”
Now coaching the Toronto Maple Leafs, Berube has started the season with a respectable 6-4-1 record. Despite having star players like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner on his team, the Blues managed to defeat the Maple Leafs 5-1 in their first head-to-head matchup this season. The victory gave the Blues bragging rights over their former coach.
Overall, Craig Berube’s return to St. Louis was met with appreciation and nostalgia from fans and the organization. His impact on the Blues’ history and the lasting relationships he formed during his time as head coach continue to be cherished by the St. Louis community.
