Blues first-round pick returns to hockey after months in NHL players assistance program
Photo credit: Blue Note Rising
St. Louis Blues forward Zach Dean, a first round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights, has returned to hockey after having spent months in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
The stay in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program for St. Louis Blues forward Zach Dean is over, as he's officially been cleared to return.
He entered the Program in September for an undisclosed reason, and has now completed his treatment.
As part of his return, Dean is being sent to the American Hockey League affiliate Springfield Thunderbirds, and he'll be reporting to the club on Friday.
Dean hasn't played a game yet this year for the Blues, who acquired him in February 2023 for Ivan Barbashev from the Vegas Golden Knights. He has nine previous games of NHL experience under his belt, all in a Blues sweater.
Zach Dean Was Drafted By the Vegas Golden Knights In The 2021 NHL Entry Draft
Dean was taken with the 30th overall pick by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft while playing for the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL. During his time with the Olympiques, he would be named to the QMJHL All-Rookie Team, and was later named a finalist for the Guy Carbonneau Trophy as defensive forward of the year.
However, he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in February 2023 for Ivan Barbashev before ever playing a gamer the Golden Knights, and he would make his professional debut with the Thunderbirds in 2023-24, scoring 14 points (9G, 4A) in 49 games.
He also got in nine games with the Blues, but did not register a point.
Last year, he played in 11 games for the Thunderbirds and had four points (1G, 3A).
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 1|244 ANSWERS Blues first-round pick returns to hockey after months in NHL players assistance program Will Zach Dean play for the Blues this year? | ||
| Yes | 90 | 36.9 % |
| No | 154 | 63.1 % |
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