The St. Louis Jr. Blues, proud members of the NA3HL, are very pleased to announce that former defenseman Blake Dangos has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at St. Lawrence University in the ECAC.
Dangos’ journey to the North Country of New York began at the Affton Ice Rink, where he played his youth career and would regularly be seen at the Affton-ran All American rink to hone his skills. Despite being listed at just 5’10” and 175 pounds, Dangos joined the Jr. Blues from Carshield AAA of the NAPHL in 2018-19 and impressed many with his vision and puck-moving skills. In 40 games, Dangos would score three goals and 13 assists, finishing the year with a +25 rating. He played in all seven playoff games for the Jr. Blues, where he recorded two assists, and was selected to play for the NA3HL 18U Selects team at the 2019 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, held alongside the Robertson Cup Finals in Blaine, Minnesota. Dangos would play all four games as the 3HL team made it all the way to the tournament final, recording an assist.
“When you talk about players who make you notice them when they’re on the ice, Blake’s one of those guys,” said Jr. Blues head coach Chris Flaugher. “He’s intelligent and knows exactly what to do on the ice in any given situation. He’s not the biggest of players, but he went out there and would get into physical battles with opponents who were older, bigger, stronger than he was. Blake’s a special player and I’m proud to say that the Jr. Blues could assist him in his hockey journey.”
The next chapter in Blake’s hockey career came later that summer, when the Janesville Jets of the NAHL selected him in the eighth round of the NAHL Draft, using pick #195. After making the team out of camp, Dangos formed a bond with Jets head coach Corey Leivermann, who noted in an article for the Jets’ website that “around Christmas time this year, he and I had a conversation about where he wanted to be next. Kudos to him, he took it upon himself to double down on his efforts and prove to us that he could be a night-in, night-out defenseman. He went from being our sixth guy back there to running a power play by the end of the year.” Blake would finish the 2019-20 campaign for the Jets with two goals and six assists in 40 games and was named the club’s Most Improved Player in their year-end awards.
Blake will not be the first player with Jr. Blues ties to continue their hockey career with the Skating Saints, one of college hockey’s most historic programs. Stanley Cup winner Brandon Bollig, goaltender Robby Moss, and forward Kris Margherio all played their college hockey in Canton, New York, as did former Jr. Blues head coach Jim Giacin. He becomes the second player with Jr. Blues ties to make an NCAA Division I commitment this year, joining 2019-20 forward Seamus Campbell, who verbally committed to ECAC rival Quinnipiac in February.
