St. Louis Blues win Best Comeback at ESPY Awards

The NHL’s ultimate comeback story was honored by the worldwide leader in sports Wednesday night. The St. Louis Blues won the ESPY for “Best Comeback”.

While ESPN’s landmark and flagship program is SportsCenter, the sports network also held their annual award show honoring the best in sports, the ESPY’s, on July 10. The St. Louis Blues, still high on celebrating their first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history, were in attendance, as well as a nominee in the “best comeback” category. Surprising nobody, the team that went from worst in the NHL on January 2nd to Stanley Cup champions walked away with the prize.

The Blues were well represented at the ceremony with Conn Smythe winner Ryan O’Reilly, rookie goaltender Jordan Binnington, Joel Edmundson, Robby Fabbri, hometown hero Pat Maroon, Colton Parayko, Zach Sanford, and Robert Thomas on hand.

The group, minus the Stanley Cup itself, traveled to Los Angeles to attend the live event. The Blues twitter account posted a video of the group enjoying the pre-show red carpet event:

https://twitter.com/StLouisBlues/status/1149086744853327873

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When the Blues were announced as winners, their unofficial victory song “Gloria” rang out through the Microsoft Theater where the event was held. O’Reilly acted as the de facto leader of the group, giving the acceptance speech. As he approached the microphone to address the crowd, he gave an intro only a hockey player could give.

Yes, he took out his tooth, showing off that hockey player smile with pride. After winning hockey’s ultimate prize, a tooth is a small price to pay and it’s something he wears as a badge of honor. His teammates laughed, while those who weren’t used to the trails, toughness, and tribulations of professional hockey might have been slightly confused.

Most importantly, O’Reilly made sure not to leave the Blues biggest fan out of their acceptance speech.

"“Someone I really want to mention here, which is kind of our story, and I think I can speak for all of us, she was a true inspiration, and that’s Laila Anderson,” O’Reilly said. “She’s been through so much these last few years, and her spirit … and [the way she] just keeps fighting, she’s an example for us, and she taught us so much.“She was around, and we got a chance to share the Stanley Cup with her, but we just want to say this is another thing we get to add to it and share with her.”"

The Blues weren’t the only hockey royalty honored on award night. Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals won “Best NHL player”, a year removed from being named “Best Male Athlete”, the first time a hockey player has won in that category.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were also nominated in the category of “Best Upset” after their historic sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning, but just like their quest for the Stanley Cup, left empty-handed.

The night before, ESPN held its annual sports humanitarian awards. The NHL was honored with the “League Humanitarian Of The Year Award”. This Award was given for the league’s multiple charitable efforts and initiates to make the community around them a better play to live, work and play.