Saluting The No. 7s: Berenson, Unger, Mullen Tkachuk

Tonight the St. Louis Blues honor those who have donned the No. 7 with a Bluenote in front. Red Berenson, Gary Unger, Joe Mullen and Keith Tkachuk. Three of which likely predate many current Blues fans recollections and dates of birth.

Here is what you need to know before you go down to Scottrade for a special night that will hopefully lift the spirits of a miserable hockey team (and fan base).

Red Berenson

The Regina, Saskatchewan native, born December 8, 1939, spent 8 seasons split between two different tenures with the Blues. The first from 1698 to 1971 and the second from 1974 to 1978. Amassing 153 goals and 367 points in 491 games in St. Louis.

His most memorable contribution to Blues history came on November 7, 1968. Against the Philadelphia Flyers he tallied 6 goals and 4 of which came in a nine minute span. He also won the Jack Adams award as the leagues top coach in the 1980-81 season behind the Blues bench.

Currently Berenson is the head coach for the Michigan Wolverines men’s hockey team. A post he has held since 1984. Winning the NCAA championships twice, in 1996 and 1998.

Gary Unger

The 63 year old Calgary, Alberta bred forward played in St. Louis for 9 seasons between 1970 and 1979. Totaling 292 goals and 575 points in 662 games.

His claim to fame comes not only from his goal scoring abilities, but his iron man status from between February 24, 1968 and December 21, 1979. In that period he appeared in a then NHL record 914 consecutive games.

In his career, overall, Unger appeared in 1105 games. Netting 413 goals and registering 804 points and 1075 Penalty Minutes.

Joe Mullen

One of the most prolific American born players in the history of the league, Joe Mullen (54 year old New York City native) tallied 502 goals and 1,063 points in 1,062 games.

His career started in St. Louis in 1980 and continued till 1986. In that period Mullen scored 151 goals in 332 games. A pace of nearly a goal every other game or an average of 36 goals per season.

Mullen won a Stanley Cup winner with Calgary in 1989 and with Pittsburgh in 1991 and 1992. He was inducted in to the Hockey Hall of Fame and US Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000. He won the Lady Bing twice, 1987 and 1989. He also won the Lester Patrick award in 1995.

His claim to fame, was “supposed to be” part of the fabled 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics US squad, but decided to start his NHL career with the Blues.

Keith Tkachuk

If you bleed blue, you know who Big Walt is.

The 38 year old Boston native just wrapped up his playing career last season as possibly the greatest American born power forward in the leagues history.

Over the course of 21 NHL seasons Tkachuk registered 538 goals and 1,065 points and 2,219 Penalty Minutes in 1,201 games. He was only the 6th American to reach the 1,000 point plateau.

He came to the Blues for the first time via trade with the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for for Ladislav Nagy, Michal Handzus, Jeff Taffe and a 1st round selection (Ben Eager). He spent a brief period in 2007 in Atlanta via a deadline day deal bringing back Glen Metropolit, a 1st round pick in 2007, a 3rd round pick in 2007 and a 2nd round pick in 2008. He re-signed in St. Louis the follow off season and finished out his career there.

Besides his toothless grin as his claim to fame, he has a World Cup Gold Medal (1996) and Olympic Silver Medal (2002) to his credit. He also lead the league in goals with 52 in the 1996-97 season.

While never the captain of the Blues, he was considered a leader on and off the ice in his tenure.

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Make sure you arrive early. The pre-game festivities start at 6:15 pm with a band outside. Ceremonies kick off at 7:00pm. The puck drops at 8:00 pm.

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