ST. LOUIS — When Doug Armstrong, General Manager of the St. Louis Blues, made the strategic decision to acquire defenseman Cam Fowler last December, he aimed to bolster a team undergoing the final phases of restructuring, with aspirations for an NHL playoff run.
Since joining, the 33-year-old defenseman has proven to be an invaluable asset, not just meeting but surpassing expectations. In Game 6 of the Blues’ first-round series against the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night, Fowler netted his second goal, earning him an impressive 10 points in the series, setting a new franchise record for the most points by a defenseman in a single playoff series.
Blues coach Jim Montgomery, appointed nearly a month before Fowler’s acquisition, praised his abilities, remarking on Fowler’s keen understanding of the game. “He’s incredibly cerebral,” stated Montgomery. “When you adjust tactics, he executes immediately due to his intelligence. It’s remarkable how his competitive drive was underestimated. Having him on our side, you see the fierce intensity in his eyes paired with calm and poise, which allows him to make plays on both ends of the ice. It’s quite impressive.”
Fowler has shouldered significant responsibilities, forming the top defensive pairing with Colton Parayko, while also anchoring the first power-play unit. His presence has contributed to the team’s defensemen amassing a league-leading six goals and 17 assists in the postseason.
“We believe our defensemen can contribute offensively, especially through their skating ability and puck movement in the neutral zone,” Fowler said. “It’s been an area of focus for us, and we have the personnel to execute. When we play as a cohesive five-man unit, we become difficult to defend.”
The Blues and Jets are set to clash once more in Winnipeg on Sunday night for a decisive Game 7. Remarkably, the home team has emerged victorious in all six games of the series so far.