On Feb. 9, 1966, St. Louis was awarded a National Hockey League franchise for an expansion team that didn’t even have an owner lined up. That void was soon filled by the late Sidney Salomon Jr. and his son Sid Salomon III, who came forward to purchase the franchise and its original venue, the art deco St. Louis Arena on Oakland Avenue. In October 1967, the St. Louis Blues started its first season.

Now, both Salomon Jr, and Salomon III are among the first St. Louis Blues legends inducted into the new St. Louis Blues Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony is this Friday, Jan. 13th at the downtown Missouri Athletic Club (MAC).

In attendance will be several members of the Salomon family, Sid Salomon from Fort Pierce, Fla., Tim Salomon from Atlanta, Ga. and Patti Salomon from Durango, Colo.

“As my grandfather always said, the reality of the St. Louis Blues was born out of love, a passion for hockey and family,” said Patti Salomon. “It seems fitting that both are being inducted into the Inaugural Hall of Fame.”

It is fair to say that had it had not been for the Salomons, there would not have been a hockey team in St. Louis in 1967. The deal was in the works to put the NHL expansion team in Baltimore, but the Wirtz family that owned the Blackhawks as well as the St. Louis Arena put things in motion to get a team in St. Louis and purchase the Arena. Salomon Jr. was the man to get it done and he was also the man who would win over the fans and the players and set the stage for 50+ years of St. Louisans “bleeding blue.

“My grandfather and father gave their lives to getting a team in St. Louis, creating a first-class operation, and making it successful.  Our family sacrificed a great deal and so much of their story has never been told,” said Patti Salomon. “This award feels incredibly special to us. As young kids, we rooted for the Blues in our seats. And in our living room.  The award in our eyes is a lovely tribute to the dedication and determination of a father and son. We are grateful to the St. Louis Blues organization for recognizing their contribution.”

The ceremony will be emceed by Blues Television Play-by-Play Announcer John Kelly and Radio Play-by-Play Announcer Chris Kerber and will be streamed live on the Bally Sports app.

In addition to the Salomons, the Blues Hall of Fame inaugural class will include Red Berenson, Scotty Bowman, Bernie Federko, Bob Gassoff, Glenn Hall, Brett Hull, Dan Kelly, Al MacInnis, Bob Plager, Barclay Plager, Chris Pronger, Brian Sutter and Garry Unger.  The following evening, the Blues will honor the inaugural class with a ceremonial puck drop prior to hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning at Enterprise Center

“Although none of us live in St. Louis, we are always incredibly proud of the contributions made by our family to the fans of the St. Louis Blues.  Both Sid Jr. and the third have been gone a long time, and I think if they were here now, they would be amazed at how far the Blues have come while honoring the traditions of the past.  Most people nowadays don’t remember how it all began, but we do.  And we are so pleased that our family legacy carries on,” said Patti Salomon.

Fans will be able to view banners for all Blues Hall of Famers as they will be hung in the main concourse at Enterprise Center.  Fans can also visit www.stlouisblues.com/halloffameto learn more about each of the inductees and to watch content related to their careers and the induction ceremony.