It’s Always Sunny in St. Louis

Gloria

Oskar Sundqvist's journey with the St. Louis Blues began in 2017 after being traded from Pittsburgh. 2018 - 2020 would be the best seasons of his career, at least in point production. According to nhl.com, Sunny had 14 goals, 17 assists, and 31 points in the 2018 - 19 season. Sundqvist was also part of one of the most menacing 4th lines in the league, which took over games and physically dominated teams.

Oh yeah - he also hoisted the Stanley Cup above his head in 2019.

Did he ever leave?

After being traded to Detroit in March 2022 and then to Minnesota in March 2023, Sunny continued to hang around. He has always been a folk hero in St. Louis. Sunny was at the Enterprise Center just two months after the trade, cheering on the Blues as they hosted the Colorado Avalanche in the second round of the playoffs.

Returning Home

"No, oh no, definitely not. That’s the business side of it, and you never know what’s going to happen. I never wanted to leave. It’s kind of like what I said earlier; it just feels like coming home." This is what Sunny had to say in an interview with Jeremy Rutherford when discussing his departure from the team in 2022.

St. Louis has consistently embraced players like Oskar Sundqvist over the years. Their hard work, dedication, and love for the city have forged a strong bond between the community and the rink. Players like Oskar Sundqvist will always have a home in St. Louis.

New Role

It's no secret that the 31-year-old veteran has been prone to injuries. This is Sunny's "time to shine" as a mentor. With the youth movement of the Blues along with the new pieces being added each year, it can change the direction of an organization. Sundqvist knows what it takes to succeed in this league, and he's ready to share his knowledge with the next generation.

Here's what Sunny had to say about his new role with the team during an interview with Jeremy Rutherford in 2023.

"I’m definitely going to feel old. It’s going to be different, but it’s going to feel like I’m in the right place. With my game, it’s going to be taking care of the younger guys, showing them how the St. Louis Blues play hockey and drive the team — like I did during the Stanley Cup run. That’s what the Blues expect, and I also expect that from myself. I’m excited to get back and show them that I can be that guy again."

It Doesn't Stop There

Sunny's on-ice expectations reflect his off-ice expectations. He consistently prioritizes the needs of others over his own, demonstrating his dedication and commitment. Therefore, it doesn’t come as a surprise when Oskar Sundqvist and other Blues staff eagerly took the opportunity to help the community recover from the devastating May 16th tornado. The crew was busy cleaning up and distributing supplies after one of the worst tornadoes St. Louis has ever experienced tore through various parts of the city, tearing homes apart brick by brick, resulting in 5 deaths and around 40 injuries. CNN reported.

“You do whatever you can to help, and if there’s an opportunity, myself and Blake are always willing to do as much as we can,” Sundqvist told stllouisblues.com. “It’s really important for us to be out here.”

St. Louis has consistently embraced players like Oskar (Sunny) Sundqvist over the years. Their hard work, dedication, and love for the city have forged a strong bond between the community and the rink. Sundqvist has also been a proud supporter of the Humane Society in providing second chances to pets without a home.

That's Blues Hockey

Sunny's the type of player you can count on; he’s not afraid to stand up for you, he's always got your back, and he's unafraid of self-sacrifice. So, whether we see him hoist another cup, retire with the team, or sign with another, Sunny will always be a Blue.