Blues Ownership Back in Local Hands for First Time Since 1999

When local business man Tom Stillman took to the microphone at the Scottrade Center Thursday, it marked the first time in more than a decade, the St. Louis Blues will be in local hands.

It's not since Kiel Center Partners, under the watchful eyes of Mark Sauer and Jerry Ritter, ran the show in 1991-1999 could the Blues fully say they belonged to good Ol' St. Louie.

The St. Louis Blues have battled the tides of changing economies and different places in the standings since the days when insurance magnate Sidney Salomon brought professional hockey to St. Louis for the 1966-67 season.

An array of different owners with varying personalities ran the show first at the old Arena on Oakland Avenue, of which the named changed to the Checker Dome in the Ralston-Purina Hal Dean era of 1977-83; and then on to the Savvis Center and now Scottrade Center downtown. Don’t forget the name Harry Ornest from 1983-86.

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Hazelwood Connection and New Order

That all changed Thursday when the keys to the arena, the Peabody Opera House and a minor league franchise in Peoria, Ill., the Rivermen, went to beer distributor Stillman and his local consortium of investors.

The St. Louis Blues hold official team practices in the at the . At various times throughout the year, fans can flock to the rink located inside to watch the team practice, have with players. The team has also been active in the Hazelwood community, hosting a .

There was no mention of that changing, but what will be different is the members of the new Blues ownership group which include:

• Thomas H. Stillman - Chairman & CEO, Summit Distributing
• Jerald L. Kent - Chairman & CEO, Suddenlink Communications, CEO, Cequel III
• Donn S. Lux - Chairman & CEO, Luxco
• James A. Cooper - Managing Partner, Thompson Street Capital Partners
• Jo Ann Taylor Kindle - President, Enterprise Holdings Foundation
• W. Stephen Maritz - Chairman & CEO, Maritz Inc.
• Edward M. Potter - Private investor
• Mr. & Mrs. Andrew C. Taylor - Mr. Taylor is Chairman & CEO of Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
• David L. Steward - Chairman,  World Wide Technology, Inc.
• James P. Kavanaugh - CEO, World Wide Technology, Inc.
• John C. Danforth - Partner, Bryan Cave LLP, Former U.S. Senator, Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
• Christopher B. Danforth - Owner & CMO, Kennelwood Pet Resorts
• James L. Johnson - Senior Vice President, Stifel Nicolaus & Co.
• Scott B. McCuaig - Former President, Stifel Nicolaus & Co.
• John S. Ross, Jr. - President, Summit Development Group
• Thomas F. Schlafly - Partner, Thompson Coburn, Founder, The Saint Louis Brewery.

About the Owners

Stillman, who has a love and passion for hockey, something he imported to St. Louis some 20 years ago still laces up the skates in local amateur leagues. Stillman, CEO of Summit Distributing, an Earth City based distributor of Miller and Coors products will maintain ownership of that enterprise also.

History and tradition won’t take a backseat to this vibrant, well-spoken owner.

“We are 100 percent committed to this community, we see ourselves as good stewards of the Blues legacy,” Stillman said. “The St. Louis Blues have such an important legacy and there is so much rich history of the many men who have worn the Blue note on their chests."

He said his No. 1 job is to put the Blues’ financial house in order. He will run the team like he runs his beer business.

Gary Bettman, National Hockey League’s commissioner said the team is already in better shape.

“The group used less leverage to buy this team, and there is more equity in the agreement that was signed (Wednesday) in New York,” he said.

Dream Come True?

Did Stillman ever dream this day would become reality?

“Not really," he said. "I never realized something like this could happen to me (and his wife Mary) when they moved here 20 years ago.”

Stillman also said local teams should be owned locally.

“I think having local ownership is the best outcome for this city," he said. "I am proud to see ownership in the hands of this local group.

“Our focus is to put our financial house in order and an elite team on the ice.”

St. Louis Blues fans will drink to that.

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