Bruce Affleck thought he would play four years and become a teacher. In 1972, without the promise of a professional career, the University of Denver freshman defenseman was taking general education courses to prepare for a job at the front of the classroom. Forty-seven years and 280 NHL games later, Affleck serves as an Executive Vice President in the St. Louis Blues front office, overseeing business operations while a younger generation of Pioneers, Tyler Bozak and Chris Butler, prepare to take the ice against alum Danton Heinen and the Boston Bruins in the 2019 Stanley Cup Final.
Affleck never imagined his career would lead him to this point. In two seasons for the Crimson & Gold, Affleck totaled 56 points in 77 games and drew attention from the California Golden Seals, who selected him in the second round of the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft. Affleck, along with teammate Pete LoPresti who was selected by the Minnesota North Stars the same year, left Denver to begin their professional careers.
"I was surprised I got drafted so high and that's what dictated the move," Affleck said. "Coach (Murray) Armstrong wasn't very happy with us."
Affleck's 10-year professional career concluded in the 1983-84 season after playing 274 games over five seasons with the Blues and a handful of games with the Vancouver Canucks and New York Islanders. He moved back to St. Louis in 1984 and joined the workforce for W.M. French Realtors, a corporate relocation firm responsible for accommodating Blues players and management. In 1987, the Blues' president approached Affleck about the opportunity to rejoin the team in a sales and broadcasting capacity.
"I decided to go the business route and I'm glad I did," Affleck said. "I've never really stepped on the other side of the hockey operations and it's been fun."
Affleck quickly instilled himself in the fabric of the Blues organization, starting the alumni association in 1988 and working in a variety of capacities, including President of Business Operations, COO and Vice President of Broadcasting and Blues Alumni. He spent multiple seasons as a color analyst for radio and eventually television broadcasts. In the community, he gave back and continues to work through charities including Blues for Kids, March of Dimes and St. Louis University Lupus Foundation.
"I had a lot of hats, I just couldn't keep one," Affleck said with a laugh.
Affleck's current role has him doing "a little bit of everything," maintaining his involvement in the alumni association, administration and sales. While he's comfortable where he is in his fifth season as Executive Vice President, Affleck still maintains a connection to the Blues' on-ice product, the reason obvious and succinct: "Pioneers stick together."
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