Bill Armstrong was based out of Providence as a scout for the Blues for most of his NHL scouting career. He only moved to St Louis once he became an AGM. He was even a coach for the AHL team in Providence. I suspect he knows Brett Berard’s father rather well. I’m guessing he keeps an eye on Brett.
On draft day, when BA was forced to sit out, and was not allowed to participate, I was sitting in my home screaming “Berard! Berard!” at my TV screen. I couldn’t believe he dropped to the Coyotes. Their picks had all be sanctioned by the NHL because the previous GM was an idiot and a cheater.
Anyway, the Coyotes took Mitchell Miller instead. Then all hell broke loose and the team was absolutely disgraced. Again. For the millionth time.
I bet as Bill Armstrong sat alone in his office watching the draft, he was probably screaming “Berard! Berard!” at his TV screen also. I bet he smashed all his new furniture and punched a few holes in the walls when they took Miller.
I bet BA would retain 50% on Kessel to get Berard.
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That same year, the Blues took Jake Neighbors in the 1st. Armstrong ran their scouting team that whole year, until a couple of weeks before the draft. He likely had a hand in the decision to take Neighbors.
Armstrong’s very first pick was Dylan Guenther that next year. Obviously Guenther and Neighbors were teammates in Edmonton. So clearly Armstong had eyes on the Oil Kings for a couple of years. He spent two high picks on a couple of their best players.
Matthew Robertson was the team MVP in Jake Neighbors’ draft year. And he was team captain in Dylan Guenther’s draft year.
I bet BA would retain 50% on Kessel to get Robertson.
