The St. Louis Blues 2019 Championship Run: What We Can Learn From It
- Edward Garinger
- Mar 10
- 5 min read
The St. Louis Blues’ 2019 Stanley Cup victory was one of the most improbable championship runs in NHL history. At the start of January 2019, they were dead last in the league standings. By June, they had won their first-ever Stanley Cup, defeating the Boston Bruins in a hard-fought seven-game series.
Their story is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, adaptability, and teamwork—lessons that coaches, players, and parents can all learn from and apply in their own hockey journeys.
Lessons for Coaches: Creating a Winning Culture
1. Build Resilience and Adaptability
At one point, the Blues were a struggling team with no clear direction. Instead of folding under pressure, they made critical adjustments—changing their coaching approach, promoting young talent, and reinforcing belief in their system.
Coaching Tip:
Teach players to embrace adversity. Losing streaks, bad calls, and injuries are all part of hockey. A coach’s job is to instill a mindset that focuses on solutions rather than excuses.
Adjust when things aren’t working. St. Louis adapted their forechecking and defensive strategies mid-season, and coaches at any level should be open to tactical changes.
2. Leadership Matters
Craig Berube took over as head coach in November 2018 and turned the Blues into a disciplined, confident, and resilient team. His no-nonsense approach, combined with trust in his players, helped them rise to the challenge.
Coaching Tip:
Set clear expectations. Players should know their roles and what’s expected of them, both in games and in practice.
Lead by example. Coaches who stay composed under pressure teach their players to do the same.
3. Trust Your Goaltender and Defense
The rise of rookie goalie Jordan Binnington was a turning point. The Blues’ commitment to defensive structure and allowing Binnington to settle in was critical to their success.
Coaching Tip:
Defensive responsibility wins championships. Encourage players to buy into team defense, even if they’re offensive-minded.
Support your goaltender. A confident goalie can steal games, but they need a team in front of them that plays smart, structured hockey.
4. Culture Trumps Talent
The Blues were not the most skilled team in the league, but their chemistry and work ethic gave them an edge over more talented teams.
Coaching Tip:
Develop a strong locker-room culture. Encourage team bonding and accountability. Players should feel invested in each other’s success.
Recognize effort and attitude over statistics. Hard-working, coachable players often outperform more naturally talented players who lack discipline.
Lessons for Players: How to Handle Adversity and Thrive
1. Never Count Yourself Out
The Blues’ players could have given up when they were last in the standings, but they didn’t. They bought into a system, played with confidence, and worked their way up the standings.
Player Tip:
Believe in yourself and your team. Even if things aren’t going well, your mindset determines how you respond.
Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. If you stay committed to your game, opportunities will come.
2. Buy Into Your Role
Not every player can be a goal-scorer, but every player can contribute. The Blues had players willing to block shots, kill penalties, and take on defensive assignments that didn’t show up on the scoresheet.
Player Tip:
Do the little things right. Blocking a shot, winning a faceoff, or making a smart defensive play can be just as important as scoring a goal.
Embrace the team-first mentality. If your coach asks you to play a checking role, accept it with pride and execute it to the best of your ability.
3. Confidence Is Everything
Jordan Binnington had an unshakable mindset. He exuded confidence, and his belief in himself spread to the rest of the team.
Player Tip:
Carry yourself with quiet confidence. Whether you’re a star player or a depth forward, believe that you belong.
Preparation leads to confidence. If you put in the work during practice, you’ll feel ready in games.
4. Physicality and Toughness Matter
The Blues played a hard-nosed, physical style of hockey. They didn’t just try to outskill their opponents; they wore them down.
Player Tip:
Win the battles. Whether it’s a puck battle along the boards or net-front positioning, competing hard makes a difference.
Stay disciplined. Play with intensity but avoid bad penalties that hurt your team.
Lessons for Parents: Supporting Your Child’s Hockey Journey
1. Be Patient—Development Takes Time
Jordan Binnington was drafted in 2011 but didn’t become an NHL starter until 2019. Many young players develop later than expected.
Parent Tip:
Don’t rush the process. Some players take years to find their stride. Encourage patience and persistence.
Let your child enjoy the game. Pressuring them to be a star early on can backfire.
2. Focus on Work Ethic Over Results
The Blues’ success wasn’t about individual stats—it was about teamwork and effort.
Parent Tip:
Praise effort, not just goals or assists. If your child works hard in practice and games, recognize it.
Encourage a strong work ethic. Players who commit to improving every day will get better naturally.
3. Support, Don’t Pressure
The Blues were at their best when they played with confidence and freedom. Young players perform best when they don’t feel overwhelmed by expectations.
Parent Tip:
Be a supportive voice. Let the coach do the coaching. Encourage your child to enjoy the process.
Teach resilience. Hockey has ups and downs. Helping your child handle setbacks with a positive mindset is invaluable.
4. Emphasize Team Play Over Individual Success
The Blues didn’t have a single superstar carrying the team. Their championship was won through collective effort.
Parent Tip:
Encourage teamwork. A great teammate is more valuable than a selfish player.
Teach the importance of all roles. Even if your child isn’t the top scorer, they can contribute in other ways.
Final Takeaway: The Power of Belief and Hard Work
The 2019 St. Louis Blues’ championship run is a perfect example of why hockey is the ultimate team sport. They weren’t the favorites, they had every reason to give up, but they believed in themselves and outworked their competition.
For coaches, the lesson is to build resilience, adaptability, and a strong culture. For players, it’s about confidence, work ethic, and buying into a team-first mentality. For parents, it’s about patience, perspective, and supporting their child’s love for the game.
The Blues’ story isn’t just about a Stanley Cup—it’s about what’s possible when a team refuses to quit. Whether you’re coaching a youth team, playing at a competitive level, or supporting your child’s hockey dream, the lessons from St. Louis’ 2019 run are a blueprint for success.
Ed Garinger is a seasoned hockey coach, mentor, and educator with over two decades of experience. A native of the Bruce Peninsula, he played minor and junior hockey before earning his BA and BEd from Nipissing University, where he also competed in varsity volleyball and extramural hockey.
Coaching since age 14, Ed has balanced his teaching career with an extensive coaching and development portfolio, working with players at all levels. He has coached in the Provincial Junior Hockey League, led youth and high school teams, and served as a learning facilitator for the OMHA. His experience includes elite programs like the OHL/OHF U15 and U16 camps, U17 Regional Camps, and Hockey Canada’s Skills Academy.
A Hockey Canada HP1-certified coach, USA Hockey-certified coach, and Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC), Ed is committed to ongoing professional development and continually seeks to expand his knowledge to better serve players and coaches. Now based in Orillia, he enjoys passing on his passion for hockey to the next generation.
