The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Dan O’Neill reports that the Stastny brothers couldn’t be more excited to be together at the Blues camp. Yan Stastny, older brother of current Blues forward Paul Stastny, was invited to participate in St. Louis’ camp with a professional tryout. A journeyman hockey player who has played throughout the world, Yan will lace his skates up for an NHL team for the first time since 2010. Though making the team is considered a long shot, Stastny is only concerned about the experience:
“Realistically, I’m going to go have fun,” said Stastny, who makes his home in St. Louis. “I got a phone call out of the blue from (Blues general manager) Doug Armstrong and I asked him if I could take a little time to think about it … But it gives me a chance to skate and stay in shape, if something comes up, in Europe or wherever. Right now, I think I’m the oldest guy going to camp, so I take a little pride in that — the fact that I’m still playing. I’m just going in to compete and have some fun. I know the game has changed quite a bit since I last played in North America. But you never know what can happen. There have been longer shots.”
For the younger Stastny, it’s a thrill to have his older brother in camp. Though they’ve never been on the same professional team, Paul said it will be “exciting” and said it’s a moment that “you dream of” but really aren’t sure that it will actually happen. For the Stastny brothers, it’s a terrific opportunity to spend time together as not only teammates, but brothers and friends. Anything that happens after that would certainly be a bonus.
In other Blues news:
- The Blues have announced their prospect roster for the NHL Prospects Tournament writes Jeremy Rutherford. The Prospect Tournament is held in Traverse City, Michigan, and features the prospects of eight teams that include the Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild and the New York Rangers. In the round robin tournament, the Blues will face the Red Wings, Blackhawks and Blue Jackets. Forward Ivan Barbashev and defenseman Jordan Schmaltz are just two of the many prospects on the list to participate.