Snuggerud will make NHL debut with Blues against Red Wings

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Jimmy Snuggerud will make his NHL debut for the St. Louis Blues against the Detroit Red Wings at Enterprise Center on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; FDSNMW, FDSNDET).

"Snuggerud's going to play tonight, his first NHL game," Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. "We're excited to see how he's going to help us.

"Do what you do best and what got you here, and enjoy the moment. It's a special moment and if you're a highly competitive player, make sure you really compete hard. If you're a goal-scorer, don't pass up shots. If you're a defensive player and you finish checks, finish five checks tonight. Do what you do best."

The 20-year-old forward took line rushes at right wing with center Oskar Sundqvist and Zack Bolduc during practice Monday. He joins the NHL with the Blues having won nine in a row and holding the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.

St. Louis (40-28-7) is one point behind the Minnesota Wild for the first wild card.

"He had a good practice," Montgomery said Monday. "There's some quality talent that we've acquired and is going to make us deeper, better. His hockey sense, his game management, his puck play was really good. His hands are exceptional, his skating is NHL speed. Those are things you're looking to see, but the biggest thing is the brain, that he thinks it so well."

Snuggerud signed his entry-level contract Friday. He's one of 10 candidates for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, presented annually to recognize the top NCAA men's hockey player. The three finalists will be revealed Thursday and the winner announced at the Stifel Theatre in St. Louis on April 11 (6 p.m. ET; NHLN), the day before the NCAA championship game at Enterprise Center on April 12.

The Blues' first-round pick (No. 23) at the 2022 NHL Draft, Snuggerud had 51 points (24 goals, 27 assists) in 40 games as a junior at the University of Minnesota this season. The Gophers lost 5-4 in overtime to the University of Massachusetts in the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Fargo Regional Semifinals on Thursday.

"It was a really quick turnaround honestly, from zero to 100," Snuggerud said. "A lot of emotions, honestly; you lose your season, [but] I'm really excited to be here now and meet this group of guys.

"It's kind of hard to turn the page quick, but you kind of have to, honestly. You jump from one team to another team who is the hottest team in the National Hockey League, you've got to switch your mindset quick. I think I've learned from a lot of people in my life that have taught me to do that. It's been an easy adjustment."

The Blues were hoping to have Snuggerud signed after his sophomore season, but he wanted another chance at a national championship after Minnesota lost the 2023 NCAA Frozen Four championship game 3-2 in overtime to Quinnipiac, and the 2024 regional final 6-3 to Boston University.

When it didn't happen, Snuggerud asked himself if he was able to get better at aspects of his game.

"Speed, puck possession, poise, leadership things," Snuggerud said. "Those things are kind of why I decided to come back and that's what I wanted to work on, but like I said before, it's a fast-paced game. I'm really lucky and fortunate to be here and I feel like I've improved myself to be here, but there's still a long ways to go."

The Blues welcomed Snuggerud with open arms at practice, allowing him to lead the post-practice stretch. Prior to that, he was on the bumper position with the second power-play unit flanked by Jordan Kyrou and Dylan Holloway, Brayden Schenn at the net front and defenseman Justin Faulk on the point.

"It's kind of just learning from other guys and watching," Snuggerud said. "The speed, it showed quick. The first drill, you kind of have to be ready from the start and there's so many good players on the ice, so just watch them and what they're doing and kind of learn from them.

"It was good. It was a fast-paced practice. A lot of movement, a lot of speed. It was fun. It was just great to be on the ice with the guys."