Blues’ Snuggerud Team-First Mentality is Leading Path to NHL

After losing several key members of their 2022-23 team like forwards Logan Cooley (Arizona Coyotes) , Matthew Knies ( Toronto Maple Leafs), and defenseman Brock Faber ( Minnesota Wild) to the NHL, the dynamic has shifted slightly with the team getting younger and becoming acclimated to college hockey. Despite some of his old teammates having left, Snuggerud is optimistic about his current team and the talent the squad currently boasts.

While college hockey continues to be one of his primary focuses, it will be international play at the World Juniors that could have him among the biggest talking points in December. After finishing third in the 2022-23 Under-20 tournament with five goals and 13 points in seven games, his focus will turn once again to a gold medal. Putting his own achievements and accomplishments aside, Snuggerud is solely focused on a team-first mentality and winning.

“After getting a silver medal at the U18s two years ago, and bronze last year, a gold medal is really the only goal at this time. If I make the team, I’ll have the same mindset at that tournament this year and that my own personal goals and stats will come as the wins come.”

Looking to the Future

As the Blues are in a state of transition, all eyes have begun to shift their focus to the next cornerstone group of the franchise. Players like Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, and even Jake Neighbours have become the measuring stick of success not only for the fans but for the incoming prospects as well.

“I’d love to grow my speed like Kyrou, though I’ll never be as fast as him,” Snuggerud joked. “When I watch Blues games, I watch Thomas’ stickhandling and his shotwork too. The hard work and mentality these guys put together each night is incredible.”

The Blues currently boast a growing number of high-end prospects with Snuggerud among the top of that list. While at prospect camp, he joined fellow Blues prospects like Dalibor Dvorsky, Theo Lindstein, Otto Stenberg, Zachary Bolduc, and Zach Dean among many other prospects in a melting pot of worldly talent. Though he does not currently play alongside any of these players, he still keeps in touch with a few of them in North America. With the continued connection and communication with players like Bolduc, Dean, Dvorsky, and Michael Buchinger, there is hope that the newest wave of Blues prospects will hit the ground running when the time comes for them to unite.

At this time, there is no clear decision on his future with the University of Minnesota beyond this year, he remains committed to his team and his journey to becoming the best all-around player and person he can be.