The St. Louis Blues family lost one of their members on Monday. A former owner that oversaw some of the most interesting teams and overall periods passed away, somewhat suddenly.
The St. Louis Blues announced the passing of one of their former owners on Monday. Mike Shanahan, who was part of the ownership group from the mid-80’s to the mid-90’s, died at the age of 78.
It is an interesting thing to ponder about. We live in a day and age where 78 almost seems a bit early, but Shanahan definitely lived a fairly full life.
From his personal life, he was a part of two national championship soccer teams with St. Louis University in 1959 and 1960. He was also elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
Shanahan also oversaw some of the most interesting and sometimes entertaining Blues teams in franchise history.
Shanahan and his partners took over the team in 1986. Less than a year later, the team acquired the man that would become synonymous with the franchise in Brett Hull.
It would be wrong to say Shanahan played the major part in picking up Hull. However, he still had an impact on the player himself.
Hull posted on Twitter about the footnote he left on the team and Hull himself.
Al MacInnis, who arrived just at the end of Shanahan’s tenure, also expressed his condolences.
Mr Shanahan brought me to St Louis and I will forever be grateful to him. We have made STL our home and raised our kids here all because of his approval. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Shanahan family at this time. #RIP https://t.co/LuzK5IzUY3
— Al MacInnis (@AMacInnis2) January 16, 2018
Current team owner/chairman, Tom Stillman, made his feelings on the matter public as well on the team website.
"“The St. Louis Blues organization is saddened to learn of the passing of former Blues chairman Mike Shanahan. Mr. Shanahan set a shining example of leadership both on and off the ice. He captivated Blues fans and made an immeasurable impact on the organization. He will forever be remembered for his passion for the Blues, his engaging personality, and his acquisition of Brett Hull. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Shanahan family, and our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.”"
The Blues site also compiled some other tweets and quotes that can be seen at the link above.
Shanahan didn’t oversee the most prosperous time in franchise history or see the most wins. They never made the conference finals while he owned the team. However, he was an owner that cared about the team and what it meant to the city.
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The Post-Dispatch pointed out how he used to roam the concourse at the old Arena and mingle with the fans.
“Pride is contagious,” Shanahan said in 1991 and recalled in the Jeff Gordon article. “When the team and the fans realize the owners have pride in the team, they feel it too. Players are proud to wear the Blue Note. Fans are proud to support the Blue Note.”
Unfortunately, Shanahan never had the real financial ability to put the team over the hump. It was not for lack of trying though.
While he was in charge, the team had the deadline magician Ron Caron who seemed to always pull trades out of his behind. They had players on the roster like Brendan Shanahan, Scott Stevens, Adam Oates, MacInnis and more.
Shanahan went all out in the acquisition of Mike Keenan to be the team’s coach as well. That did not turn out as anyone hoped, but the owner and then chairman cannot be accused of resting on his laurels.
He wanted the Blues to be the best they possibly could be and stretched the budget as much as he could to do so.
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Sadly, for him, the ownership group bought him out in the usual way of thinking they could do it better.
Nevertheless, he was one of the better team owners this franchise ever knew. They might not have had their best successes of all time, but he definitely oversaw some of the most entertaining periods in the team’s history.
May his family find peace during this difficult time.