ST. LOUIS – Jimmy Snuggerud, a highly-touted St. Louis Blues prospect and one of college hockey’s brightest stars this season, is set to make his NHL debut on Tuesday.
Snuggerud, the Blues’ first-round draft pick in 2022 and standout at the University of Minnesota, practiced with St. Louis for his first time on Monday.
His first practice and soon-to-be NHL debut come just days after he signed a three-year entry-level contract and less than a week after wrapping up his third college season in Minnesota.
It remains to be seen how often Snuggerud plays at the NHL level, but he joins the team at a crucial time. The Blues have made an intense push toward a playoff spot behind a nine-game winning streak.
“Guys here want to win. I think I have that winning mentality. I want to win games, and I want to be here for them and be by their side when they win hockey games,” said Snuggerud, speaking to media members Monday. “That was the most important thing for me, making that jump knowing the mentality is ‘Hockey. Hockey. Hockey.’ There’s no school anymore. It’s just hockey. You’re here to win hockey games and that’s it.”
Snuggerud, described by scouts as a natural goal scorer with a quick release, could find an immediate role in the Blues’ offensive schemes. He is expected to play on the third line with Zac Bolduc and Oskar Sundqvist, according to the Blues’ website.
Andy Strickland, a Blues TV analyst for FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, tells FOX 2 Sports Director Martin Kilcoyne that Snuggerud thrives in offensive-zone rushes and one-timer situations, which could earn him some power play opportunities.
Although his NHL workload remains uncertain in the closing weeks of the regular season, the Blues have shown a commitment to a youth movement while competing this season. Last month, 2023 first-round pick Dalibor Dvorský made his NHL debut. And this season, the Blues have given extended opportunities to 2021 first-round pick Zac Bolduc as well.
In his final NCAA college hockey season, which ended with the Minnesota Golden Gophers reaching the regional semifinals, Snuggerud finished with 51 points (24 goals and 27 assists). He is one of several nominees for a Hobey Baker award this year, which honors college hockey’s best player each season.
Snuggerud collected 66 goals in 119 games over three collegiate hockey seasons. His father, Dave Snuggerud, also played for the Gophers, in addition to four NHL seasons. Now, Jimmy has a chance to follow in his footsteps and carve his own path into the league, set to begin Tuesday as the Blues host the Detroit Red Wings.
The Blues are 40-28-7 (87 points) with seven games left in the regular season. As of Tuesday, they have an 85.4% chance of making this year’s NHL playoffs, according to MoneyPuck.com.