Former Blues General Manager Ron Caron Passes Away At Age 82

Known as “The Professor” for his deep knowledge of hockey history, flamboyant former St. Louis Blues General Manager Ron Caron has passed away. He was 82 years of age.

Caron served as Blues GM from 1983 to 1993 before stepping aside to serve an advisory role. During his time as Blues GM, Caron was responsible for bringing the likes of Brett Hull, Adam Oates, Al MacInnis, Garth Butcher and other key components of Blues playoff teams of the 80′s and 90′s. The Blues never missed the playoffs during his tenure as GM.

TSN’s Bob McKenzie had a funny story that he shared over Twitter this morning about Caron, regarding an interview Ron had with Gord Miller about a 3rd round draft pick many a day ago. It is one of a boatload of stories people in the hockey business have about Ron, many of which are probably true:

Funny Caron story. @GMillerTSN interviewing Professor on live TV, asked how STL got this player in third round . . . . Gravel voice, heavy French accent: “Well, Gord, that’s because no one took him in the first or second round.” Then he cackled.

Caron was very unconventional for a GM of his time. A line he could always be heard saying was that there was always “meat on zee burner”. It basically meant that he never met a trade offer he didn’t like, and he looked at everything to try to improve the club.

It’s ironic that the Blues play in Montreal tonight. Before moving to St. Louis in 1983, Caron served as Assistant GM with the Montreal Canadiens and won six Stanley Cups as part of that staff as a scout and AGM.

And personally speaking, Caron made it truly enjoyable to grow up a Blues fan in the 80′s and 90′s with his flamboyant, effervescent personality and constant wise cracks that he gave to the press. And oh, that French-Canadian accent was very unmistakable. What a beauty The Professor was.

May he rest in peace. He will be missed.