Connor McMichael’s jersey-number choice with Blues may be a not-so-subtle homage to a former Capitals teammate
Connor McMichael is settling into his new role with the St. Louis Blues. The former Capitals forward officially announced he will wear number 77 for the upcoming season, marking a shift from the number 24 he sported during his time in Washington.
While McMichael previously expressed a preference for number 91, that digit remains tied to franchise star Vladimir Tarasenko. With the team potentially keeping that number out of circulation, the choice of 77 offers an interesting connection to his professional past. It mirrors the number worn by TJ Oshie during his time with the Capitals, a player McMichael spent four seasons alongside and openly admired for his hard-nosed playing style.
Beyond the teammate connection, the number 77 carries history within the Blues organization. Pierre Turgeon famously wore the number during his time in St. Louis, and the digit has been worn by several others in the years since. The transition to a new team comes following a major trade and a fresh six-year contract extension worth 40.5 million dollars.
As the Blues look to improve upon a season that saw them miss the playoffs, McMichael arrives as a key piece of the team’s current roster overhaul. The change in jersey number serves as a quiet signal of a new start for the forward as he steps into his responsibilities in the Central Division.