Hockey

Defenseman Torey Krug grateful for Bruins teammates, fans as he joins St. Louis Blues

By Kevin Mercer Oct 21, 2020
Defenseman Torey Krug celebrates a Bruins goal in the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals against his new team, the St. Louis Blues. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

After spending nine seasons with the Boston Bruins organization, NHL defenseman Torey Krug is headed to St. Louis. Krug signed a seven-year, $45.5 million contract with the Blues earlier this month on the opening day of the league’s free agency period.

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Krug was undrafted when he signed with the Bruins in 2012, but during his time with the franchise he played a crucial role in helping Boston reach the Stanley Cup Finals twice (losing once to the Blues in 2019). On Sunday, he took to Instagram to thank Bruins fans, the front office and his teammates for the support over so many years.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGfM-Y6juM4/

“I have no words to describe how much the city, my teammates, and the fans mean to us,” Krug wrote.

He continued later, “Thank you to the Bruins organization for the opportunity to grow as a player and a person. Thank you to my teammates for the amazing memories and what will be lifelong bonds. Thank you to the fans and the community for embracing my family as one of your own.

“I truly feel terrible that I couldn’t help bring another Stanley Cup to Boston but I leave with some amazing memories and having played with Hall of Famers on some truly special teams.”

From his defensive position, the 29-year-old accumulated 67 goals and 270 assists during 523 career regular-season games played, and another 11 goals and 41 assists in 75 postseason matchups. Krug will now seek to translate that success to the team that outdueled him two seasons ago.

During his time in Boston, Krug was part of a thriving Bible study led by Bruins chaplain Dave Ripper, which God has used to grow the faith of numerous Bruins players. Ripper hosted a video call with current and former Bruins to discuss their faith in Christ in a video produced by Hockey Ministries in April.

Krug was given a chance to share his Christian testimony.

“I grew up going to Vacation Bible School, but never really attending church on Sundays,” he said. “So I’ve always believed in God and Jesus, but didn’t really practice. And then after my freshman year of college, I just so happened to be in the same place as my wife twice in one day without knowing who she was, and we just kind of had a connection right away.

“I think three or four days later, she invited me to church with her family and that was the beginning of my journey getting closer and closer to Jesus and having a relationship with Him and trying to live in the Word, and practice and be disciplined in my faith.”

Krug continued later, “No matter how lonely we feel, God is always with you. And that’s been a strong presence in my mind and I always believe that and that’s led me to feel more content and try to use the gift that He’s blessed me with to glorify Him. … It’s just been a fun ride and I’ve been blessed with all these people that have come into my life that I’ve been able to grow closer and closer to.”

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