Blues Sign Top Prospect Jimmy Snuggerud to Entry-Level Contract

ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Blues announced Friday that they have signed forward Jimmy Snuggerud to a three-year entry-level contract. The 20-year-old player from the University of Minnesota is set to join the team for practice on Monday.

Snuggerud was selected by the Blues at No. 23 overall in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft. His signing comes shortly after Minnesota’s dramatic 5-4 overtime loss to the University of Massachusetts in the NCAA regional semifinals, an event that ended their tournament run.

During his junior season, Snuggerud led the Gophers with 24 goals and 27 assists across 40 games. He was also a top-10 finalist for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, which honors the best player in college hockey. Over his three-year stint at Minnesota, he accumulated 66 goals and 69 assists in 119 games, contributing to his team’s success and helping the United States clinch the world junior title in 2024 by scoring five goals in six games.

“I’m excited for this opportunity with the Blues,” Snuggerud said. “I look forward to contributing to the team as they push for a playoff spot in the remaining season games.”

After the announcement, the Blues sit at 85 points and are currently positioned for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, six points ahead of the Calgary Flames and five ahead of the Vancouver Canucks, who have two games in hand. With eight regular season games left to play, Snuggerud’s involvement will likely depend on the team’s performance and decisions made regarding the lineup.

As a first-round pick, Snuggerud’s decision to turn pro now means the first year of his three-year contract has been activated, which could change the trajectory of his career. If he had chosen to return for his senior season at Minnesota, the Blues might have had to trade his rights prior to the Aug. 15, 2026, signing deadline.

Upon signing, it’s not uncommon for teams to aim for player integration into the lineup. The Blues previously extended that opportunity to Snuggerud at the end of the 2023-24 season, but he opted to stay with Minnesota. Given the current playoff stakes, Snuggerud’s inclusion might depend on individual game performance and organizational strategy.

With the team posting an impressive 14-2-2 record in their last 18 games and leading the league in scoring at an average of four goals per game, head coach Jim Montgomery confirmed that forward Pavel Buchnevich would return to the lineup on Saturday against Colorado, adding complexity to Snuggerud’s potential entry into the existing roster.

As the team continues its playoff push, the organization and fans will be watching closely to see how Snuggerud fits into the evolving landscape of the Blues’ lineup.