Colton Parayko continues to climb the franchise leaders chart with the St. Louis Blues.
When the defenseman laces up the boots and steps on the ice today against the New York Rangers, Parayko will have played in his 617th game, passing Bob Plager for sole possession of third on the all-time Blues franchise list for defensemen.
"It's cool," Parayko said. "Obviously very special to be in one organization for this long. It's definitely been a lot of fun, it's definitely gone by fast. I think it's given me a little appreciation to sit back a little bit and look back, enjoy it with everything that's happened being a long time here. Hoping for obviously a lot more. Luckily I've been here for a long time and looking forward to many more.
"... It's special to play in the NHL. It's every kid's dream, even special to put on the Bluenote every night and play for the St. Louis Blues."
Parayko was drafted by the Blues in the third round of the 2012 NHL Draft, having been seen at the time by former president John Davidson's brother, Marshall Davidson, playing in the AJHL at Fort McMurray, then for the University of Alaska-Fairbanks before making his NHL debut in 2015-16 with the Blues.
He hasn't looked back since.
Parayko is a Stanley Cup champion, having been a big part of it when the Blues won in 2018-19 being partners with Jay Bouwmeester, now being in his ninth season and moving past Plager, an original Blue.
"Obviously getting to know Bobby, he's a special person within this organization, within this town, even within the league as a whole," Parayko said. "Everyone that knows Bobby, everyone that's lucky enough to have known him, he was special; he always wore the Bluenote with pride. That's something that I always noticed and something I want to try and carry on.
"... I feel like I saw him all the time. At every event he was at, even around the rink too, he was always around. Just a lot of good memories. He was one of those guys that you always want to be around. He always had a smile, he was always making you laugh. ... He's a special person."
Parayko now only sits behind Alex Pietrangelo (758) and Barret Jackman (803) for most games among Blues defensemen, and as long as he can -- knock on wood -- stay healthy, and being only 30 years old, there's no reason why he can't one day be on top when all is said and done.
"That's a long ways still," Parayko said. "I just continue to try to go game-by-game and just enjoy the process. I look back and like, 617, that all happened so fast. I want to enjoy the little things. It kind of gives me the opportunity to step back and enjoy that. A lot of games, you've got to stay healthy, etc, etc, etc. I just want to continue to play and get better and do my best."
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