Robert Thomas named captain of St. Louis Blues for 2026-27

Blues make significant leadership change

The St. Louis Blues have appointed Robert Thomas as the 25th captain in franchise history. This announcement comes after the team traded Brayden Schenn to the New York Islanders prior to the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. Thomas, who had been serving as an assistant captain, steps into this leadership role as the team prepares for the 2026-27 season.

Thomas’s performance and tenure with the Blues

At 27 years old, Robert Thomas has been a key player for the Blues, leading the team in scoring for the past three seasons. Last season, he registered 25 goals and 64 points in just 64 games, following a career-best performance in the 2023-24 season, where he recorded 26 goals and 86 points. Drafted 20th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft, Thomas made his NHL debut in the 2018-19 season and has since played 530 games for the team, accumulating 132 goals and 328 assists.

Establishing a new leadership core

Alongside Thomas, the Blues have named Colton Parayko, Philip Broberg, Jake Neighbours, and Dylan Holloway as assistant captains. Parayko, who has spent all 11 seasons of his NHL career with the Blues, ranks third in all-time games played for the franchise. Broberg and Holloway joined the team in the 2024-25 season, with Broberg previously serving in an alternate capacity after Schenn’s departure.

Looking ahead to the new season

With this newly established leadership group, the Blues aim to build on last season’s performance and enhance their competitiveness in the league. Thomas’s experience and scoring ability will be crucial as the organization looks to enter the 2026-27 season strong and make an impact in the Western Conference.

For related context, see NHL trade coverage.

Reporting for this story draws on The Hockey News.

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