Plager grew up in Kirkland Lake, Ontario in a hockey family. His father was the chief official in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Plager played junior hockey with the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters and the Guelph Royals. Known for his aggressive, highly physical play, Plager broke what was then the Ontario Hockey Association record for penalty minutes in a season in 1961-62. He signed a professional contract with the New York Rangers in 1964 but only played 29 games with this club over the next three years, spending most of his time with the minor league Baltimore Clippers. The NHL's expansion gave Plager his chance to become an NHL regular; he was traded to St. Louis with Gary Sabourin, Tim Ecclestone and Gord Kannegiesser for Rod Seiling on June 6, 1967.
Plager was reunited with his brothers as the St. Louis Blues started their existence with a hard-hitting, defensive-oriented squad that appeared in three straight Stanley Cup Finals. Plager earned a reputation as a bruising player with a devastating hip check. Off the ice, he was known as a prankster who was able to bond teammates through his lighthearted demeanor. Despite injuries, Plager was able to play 615 games over 11 years on the St. Louis blue line.
Plager was reunited with his brothers as the St. Louis Blues started their existence with a hard-hitting, defensive-oriented squad that appeared in three straight Stanley Cup Finals. Plager earned a reputation as a bruising player with a devastating hip check. Off the ice, he was known as a prankster who was able to bond teammates through his lighthearted demeanor. Despite injuries, Plager was able to play 615 games over 11 years on the St. Louis blue line.
Plager retired from on-ice action in 1978 and took a job with the Blues front office. He is credited with developing the process of advanced scouting. During the 1990–91 season, he took over as head coach of the Peoria Rivermen, a Blues affiliate club. In his one season behind the bench, he led the team to a Turner Cup championship and won the Commissioners' Trophy as coach of the year. During the 1992–93 season, he became the Blues' head coach, but, unhappy with his new role, he resigned after 11 games to return to his job as vice president of player development.
His jersey was retired on February 2, 2017, the seventh for a Blues player. He has been either a player, coach or executive for nearly all of the Blues' existence.
William Ronald "Bill" Plager (July 6, 1945 – January 3, 2016) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman.
Plager started his National Hockey League (NHL) career with the Minnesota North Stars in 1967. He also played for the St. Louis Blues and Atlanta Flames. He left the NHL after the 1976 season.
Before playing in the National Hockey League, Plager played for the Peterborough Petes in Peterborough, Ontario, where he met his wife Donna Hickey. After retiring from the NHL, Plager returned to Peterborough with Donna, sons William Jr., Brett and daughter Dara. Plager is the brother of former NHL players/coaches Bob Plager and Barclay Plager. All three played together for four seasons with the St. Louis Blues.
Plager retired from hockey and became a manager at Quaker Oats Peterborough plant and was head coach of Atom B/C IceKats, girls hockey teams in the Peterborough Girls Hockey Association. He died on January 3, 2016.
Barclay Graham Plager (March 26, 1941 – February 6, 1988) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and coach for the St. Louis Blues.
The oldest of three hockey playing brothers (with Bill and Bob), Plager played junior league hockey with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey Association before spending six seasons in the minor leagues, cementing a reputation as a hard-nosed defensive defenceman. His reputation was established while still in juniors, when he had a notable fight with his own brother Bob, who was playing for the rival Guelph Royals. Plager spent the 1964 season with the Omaha Knights of the Central Professional Hockey League (CPHL), leading the league in assists and winning best defenceman accolades before being sold by the Detroit Red Wings to the Montreal Canadiens for $20,000. He played the majority of the next three seasons with the Springfield Indians of the AHL.
With the 1967 NHL Expansion, many new jobs opened up in the National Hockey League, and Plager was acquired with Red Berenson by the St. Louis Blues from the New York Rangers, which held his rights. The deal proved extremely successful for the Blues, for Berenson became the first great offensive star of the newly minted Western Division, while Plager anchored a stingy defence that allowed the fewest goals in the NHL in 1969, the second fewest in 1970, and the third fewest in 1971. Behind Plager's leadership—he was named the second captain in team history in 1970 and served longer than any other Blues' captain save for Brian Sutter—the Blues made the Stanley Cup finals their first three seasons. The three Plager brothers played together for four seasons in St. Louis, with Barclays and Bob together on the Blues' defence for eleven seasons, then widely seen as the "Plagers' team".
With his career winding down, Plager was named player-coach of the Blues' Kansas City CHL farm team in 1977, leading his club into the finals and being named the league's most valuable player. He retired as a player during the following season when he was named as head coach of the Blues, succeeding Leo Boivin. In his one full season as Blues' coach, 1979, however, the Blues had their worst season in franchise history, and he was relieved of duties the following season.
Suffering from dizzy spells thought to be the result of an old head injury, Plager was examined by a doctor following his stepping down as coach. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
On March 24, 1981, prior to a game with the New York Islanders, Barclay Plager Night was held and his No. 8 was retired.
In 1981, Plager was named assistant coach of the Blues, and save for another stint as interim head coach in the 1983 season, served as such until his death from cancer in 1988.
In early 1987, Plager had an operation to remove a brain tumour with a heat treatment. He survived the operation, but when a new and rapidly growing tumour was discovered later that year, he refused treatment because he was informed that extensive brain damage might occur. He entered the hospital late in January 1988, and died on February 6, 1988, of a brain hemorrhage.
At the All-Star Game February 9, 1988, a moment of silence was held at the St. Louis Arena in his memory.
Career Achievements and Facts:
Retired with 44 goals, 187 assists, 231 points and 1115 penalty minutes in 614 games, all with St. Louis
Was the Blues' career leader in games played and penalty minutes at the time of his retirement
Played in NHL All-Star Game in 1970, 1971, 1973 and 1974
Led the NHL in penalty minutes in 1968 with 153 playing only 49 games
His No. 8 jersey has been retired by the St. Louis Blues
