MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Like any nervous kid looking to do something for the first time Jimmy Snuggerud was like a sponge on Monday.
The 2022 first-round pick (No. 23) by the St. Louis Blues was on the practice ice on Monday for the first time after signing his three-year, entry-level contract on Friday, just one day after a premature ending to his collegiate season – and career – when the Minnesota Golden Gophers fell to Massachusetts 5-4 in overtime on Thursday at the Fargo Regional semifinals.
And judging by practice line combinations and power play drills, the 20-year-old is expected to make his NHL debut when the Blues (40-28-7) put their nine-game winning streak on the line to begin a three-game homestand on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings (34-33-6).
Jimmy Snuggerud on the ice for the #stlblues ... pic.twitter.com/qxYSiS0ITL
— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) March 31, 2025
“Potentially,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “He had a good practice, will talk it over with the staff, but there’s some quality talent that we’ve acquired and is going to make us deeper, better.”
Snuggerud, who had 51 points (24 goals, 27 assists) in 40 games for the Golden Gophers this season, was on a line with Oskar Sundqvist and Zack Bolduc on Monday and played the bumper with one of the Blues’ power-play units.
“It was good. It was a fast-paced practice,” Snuggerud said. “A lot of movement, a lot of speed. It was fun. It was just great to be on the ice with the guys.
“It’s kind of just learning from other guys and watching. The speed, it showed quick. The first drill, you kind of have to be ready from the start and there’s so many good players on the ice, so just watch them and what they’re doing and kind of learn from them.”
It’s been a whirlwind of emotions for the 20-year-old, who went back to school on his own accord, to not only better himself in certain areas he felt he wasn’t ready for to compete at this level yet but also to try and win a national championship, which he unfortunately was unable to do.
“It’s kind of hard to turn the page quick, but you kind of have to honestly,” Snuggerud said. “You jump from one team to another team who is the hottest team in the National Hockey League. You’ve got to switch your mindset quick. I think I’ve learned from a lot of people in my life that have taught me to do that. It’s been an easy adjustment.
“It was a really quick turnaround honestly. From zero to 100. A lot of emotions honestly. You lose your season and I’m really excited to be here now and meet this group of guys.”
Should Snuggerud jump into the lineup, he will go in for Mathieu Joseph, who was an extra along with 2023 first-round pick (No. 10 overall) Dalibor Dvorsky and Alexandre Texier.
“You come in and let him play, let him feel comfortable and go from there,” Blues captain Brayden Schenn said. “He’s going to be nervous, he was nervous today. He flat-out said it, right. He’s never been in an NHL training ...
