St. Louis Blues Broadcast Game in ASL for First Time

The St. Louis Blues are set to broadcast their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in American Sign Language (ASL) for the first time, as part of their ASL awareness night at the Enterprise Center.

What is the NHL in ASL initiative?

The NHL in ASL initiative, started in 2024, aims to expand accessibility for all hockey fans, with previous events including the Stanley Cup Final, Winter Classic, and Stadium Series.

The Blues game on Tuesday night will be the first time the special broadcast will be dedicated to a regional team telecast, with live play-by-play and color commentary entirely in ASL.

Why is this event important for the St. Louis Blues?

Blues President and CEO of Business Operations Chris Zimmerman said the special event builds on the league's push to expand accessibility, and the team is excited to add a special element to their first ASL Awareness Night.

The event will engage the Deaf and hard of hearing community, with fans at the game able to buy special themed tickets that come with a Blues ASL-themed T-shirt, and the national anthem will have a Deaf performer.

What comes next for the St. Louis Blues?

The St. Louis Blues are currently standing 9th in the Western Conference, with a 37-33 record, and are on a W4 streak, looking to continue their winning streak with their upcoming games.

The team has made broad upgrades to accessibility in recent years, including closed captioning in the arena, assisted listening devices, interpreters, and audio description services, to make games more inclusive for every fan.

The initiative also builds on efforts by Blues forward Jake Neighbours, who previously incorporated ASL into a line of team merch after learning sign language to communicate with a teammate's family member.

A portion of proceeds from the game will go to DEAF, Inc., a St. Louis-based nonprofit that provides support to the Deaf and hard of hearing community.