Blues Announce Tragic News Hours Before Game 5 vs. Jets

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Spencer Garrett Ostrow | Last updated Apr 30, 2025 7:00 PM ET

The St. Louis Blues entered Wednesday night tied 2-2 in their first-round best-of-seven Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets.

It wasn’t an ideal start—Jim Montgomery's team dropped Games 1 and 2 in Winnipeg, but responded in a big way with back-to-back wins on home ice.

Now, as the series shifts back north of the border, a pivotal Game 5 awaits at the Canada Life Centre. However, ahead of the 9:30 p.m. ET puck drop, the Blues announced the passing of former right wing Phil Roberto.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Phil Roberto, who passed away at the age of 76," the team posted on social media. "Roberto proudly wore the Blue Note from 1971-74, playing 148 regular season games with St. Louis."

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Phil Roberto, who passed away at the age of 76.

Roberto proudly wore the Blue Note from 1971-74, playing 148 regular season games with St. Louis. pic.twitter.com/hYaQWOoa6i
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) April 30, 2025

Roberto began his NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens, where he won a Stanley Cup in 1971. He then went on to play for the Blues and Detroit Red Wings, followed by the Kansas City Scouts and Colorado Rockies (both of which later became the New Jersey Devils), and finally the Cleveland Barons (now known as the Dallas Stars).

In 385 NHL games, Roberto recorded 75 goals and 106 assists for a total of 181 points. During his time with the Blues, he tallied 33 goals and 38 assists.

While many Blues fans may not be familiar with Roberto, given that he played for the team over 50 years ago, he was an important part of the foundation that helped shape the franchise into what it is today.

The Blues’ inaugural season was in 1967-68, and Roberto joined the organization just a few years later.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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