RIP Bob Plager

[Liut]

Post-Dispatch confirmed a few minutes ago the St. Louis Blues legend was killed this afternoon in an automobile accident.

Beloved by Blues fans. Had an awesome hip check. Brothers Barclay and Bill (also former Blues players) preceded him in death.

 

[swingline]

Damn. A St. Louis institution.

 

[Old Crank]

Bob Plager was not only one of the toughest players ever in the NHL, he was also one of the funniest. His stories and jokes were legendary around the league. Typical was what he liked to say about Bob Pulford, a renowned sour puss: he got kicked out of a bar so they could start happy hour. One time just before Mother's Day, he told press-box layabouts he bought his wife flowers for the big day. He said she replied, "Great, so now I have to spend the next week on my back with my legs in the air." Plager's response: "Why? Don't you have a vase?"
OK, sue me. The cocktail hour started early today. But geez, he really could light up a room.

 

[Liut]

Bob Plager was not only one of the toughest players ever in the NHL, he was also one of the funniest. His stories and jokes were legendary around the league. Typical was what he liked to say about Bob Pulford, a renowned sour puss: he got kicked out of a bar so they could start happy hour. One time just before Mother's Day, he told press-box layabouts he bought his wife flowers for the big day. He said she replied, "Great, so now I have to spend the next week on my back with my legs in the air." Plager's response: "Why? Don't you have a vase?"
OK, sue me. The cocktail hour started early today. But geez, he really could light up a room.

Awesome recollections, Crank.

I first met the guy as a kid when he came into a restaurant I was a dishwasher at. He was so kind.
The first NHL game I attended as a child, he laid out a member of the New York Islanders with a hip check. I suppose it's cliche, but it seemed like the man never met at stranger.

For what is worth i.e. Pulford, IIRC Bobby said the same thing about Vaclav Nedomansky.

 

[NNDman]

I can still hear Dan Kelly's call of "Plager", especially Barclay

 

[Liut]

P-D reporting Plager likely died of a cardiac event, not from injuries in the crash.

 

[Splendid Splinter]

Met him a few times, and he was nothing but polite to me.

Rest Easy, Bob.

 

[exmediahack]

When I was in high school, the Blues had Hull/Oates and I spent my money on... half-season tickets.

The 20-game package. $400. Got to see every opponent once. I had 9th row by the Blues entrance at the old Arena. Saw Gretzky with the Kings. Messier with the Oilers. Lemieux. It was a dream.

Met Bob Plager a few times when he would just linger in the tunnel. So kind.

What I respect the most. His 15 or so games coaching the team in 92-93. They struggled early and then upset the Penguins. And Bob resigned after the games. He was in tears. He knew he just didn’t have the stomach for that gig.

To me, that makes him a real man. He just knew that wasn’t... him.