CHICAGO – It didn’t take too long for St. Louis Blues defenseman Cam Fowler to realize that the 2025 Discover NHL Winter Classic would be very special to him.
It was enough of a life change when Fowler was traded to the Blues by the Anaheim Ducks on December 14th.but with the help of his wife Jasmine, Fowler quickly realized that Tuesday’s special event against the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field would mark a milestone: his 1,000th NHL game.
“It was either the day or the day after the trade, my wife told me,” Fowler said Monday from Wrigley Field. “I didn’t even realize that the Blues were playing the Winter Classic. I had so much on my mind. And then for there to be 1,000, a lot of things had to fall into place. She said if I played that first game in Dallas and everything went well, that could get me into the Winter Classic. Fortunately, this is the case.
Fowler was in Columbus with the Ducks when the deal was made, quickly arrived at the airport and flew from Columbus to Dallas for the Blues’ game against the Dallas Stars that evening.
“It was a team decision, but I was really ready to get there as quickly as possible,” Fowler said with a smile. “It’s going to be crazy. The whole day is going to be pretty surreal. I’ll try to soak it in as best I can. I’m obviously excited to have my family and friends here to experience it all with me. The game itself will be an incredible experience, to which you will then add the personal achievements. Put it all together, it’s going to be a special day.
Fowler, 33, has played 991 of his games with the Ducks and will be playing his ninth game with the Blues. It’s probably unfair that after 14-plus seasons with one organization, he has to take that milestone with another franchise, much like when Martin Brodeur played 1,259 of his 1,266 regular season games with the New Jersey Devils before to end his brilliant career with the New Jersey Devils. Bruises.
But that’s the scenario that happened and if Fowler hadn’t been traded to St. Louis, it would be a moot point. He has been a tremendous addition to the Blues blue line.
“When I found out about six games ago that his 1,000th game was going to be here, I had a conversation with him about how not many people get to play, 1,000 games with the same team, but this has to be the second best possibility, and he had a big smile on his face,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “It’s going to be a big moment for him and I just think spiritually it’s something. which makes the exchange and our even more special acquisition.”
Fowler agreed.
“I know it’s probably a rare thing,” he said. “For that, I am grateful for this opportunity. I didn’t even really manage to put it together for a long time and even had the opportunity to play 1,000 games. It was never something I thought was possible. I dreamed of making it to the NHL and I was lucky to have a long career. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve processed everything yet and I probably won’t for a while. All I know is I’m excited to have everyone here and even more excited to be a part of this special event and try to get a win for our team.
Everyone included his almost three-year-old son Charlie, who was on the ice with Fowler for family practice Monday.
“It was awesome,” said proud dad Cam. “Obviously, it’s the whole experience of getting on the ice for the first time and then spending time with the family. It was an incredible experience and it was even before the match. I can only imagine what tomorrow will be like.
“He’s trying to understand as best he can. He likes to skate in just his heels, so his whole skate is in that air, which makes my job a little harder. He likes doing that, so I’m at least happy to see that.
Even though he is a family man, Fowler’s former teammate with the Ducks, not the Chicago Blackhawks, Pat Maroon, supports the acquisition of the Blues.
“The Blues had a good one,” Maroon said. “He’s a great guy, a great family man, hard-working. He’s still a hell of a player. He’s just the ultimate teammate. It’s great to see him in a Bluenote. I I’m really happy for him. Obviously it’s not the end () in Anaheim) he probably wanted, I’m sure he wanted to run 1,000 games with this team that he’s been with for so many years… He is an ultimate pro, a great teammate, a great leader and. I’m happy he’s in a place that’s a great locker room there. They’re going to make him feel hot right away.”
