Former WHL forward Brayden Schenn has been named the 24th captain in St. Louis Blues history, the NHL Club announced Tuesday.

Schenn, who hails from Saskatoon, Sask., has spent the past six NHL seasons with St. Louis and helped lead the team to the Stanley Cup in 2019.

“I don’t think it has set in yet, to be honest,” Schenn told stlouisblues.com. “The history of this franchise, the great captains they’ve had, and now getting your own name added to that extraordinary list, it’s a huge honor that I’m thankful for. I’m excited for the opportunity and the challenge this will bring.”

“Honestly, your first initial reaction is how big of an honor it is,” Schenn added. “I’ve always said, St. Louis has been the best thing for me. Getting the opportunity to come here and play, winning the Stanley Cup and now [being named captain], it’s an opportunity for us to work together and get back to where we feel we should be as an organization. I’m looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to lead this team.”

“Schenn is a leader,” Blues head coach, and fellow WHL alumnus Craig Berube said. “He’s an experienced player, he’s done a lot of really good things in St. Louis and he’s been part of a winning team. He shows leadership on and off the ice on a daily basis and he’s worked hard since Day 1 when he got here.”

As a WHL forward, Schenn totalled 315 points (116G-199a) over four seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades. While with the Wheat Kings, the now 32-year-old was awarded the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as WHL Rookie of the Year in 2008, also appearing with Brandon at the 2010 Memorial Cup.

On two occasions, Schenn was named to the WHL Eastern Conference Second All-Star Team (2009, 2011), earning Eastern Conference First All-Star Team honours in 2010.

He was originally selected fifth-overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2009 NHL Draft.