JUST NOW: St. Louis Blues’ “Black Ace” goaltender VILLE HUSSO skates with the Stanley Cup at Boston Garden on June 12, 2019. During the Blues’ 2018-19 championship season, Husso played for the Blues’ AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, and had not yet appeared in any NHL games.
A Moment of Glory: Ville Husso Skates with the Stanley Cup at Boston Garden, June 12, 2019
On June 12, 2019, in the heart of one of hockey’s most iconic venues—Boston’s TD Garden—an unforgettable scene played out: Ville Husso, a goaltender yet to appear in a single NHL game, laced up his skates and hoisted the Stanley Cup above his head. The St. Louis Blues had just completed a miraculous run, defeating the Boston Bruins 4-1 in Game 7 to clinch their first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history. Amidst the roaring celebrations and emotional releases from fans and players alike, Husso stood on the ice as a “Black Ace,” proudly savoring a moment that few in his position ever get to experience.
For many casual fans, Ville Husso’s name was unfamiliar. He hadn’t played a second of NHL hockey during the Blues’ historic 2018-19 campaign. But inside the locker room, among the coaching staff and organizational personnel, Husso’s presence had been felt all season long. As a “Black Ace”—a term used in hockey for reserve players called up during the playoffs—Husso played a vital role behind the scenes, helping the team prepare while staying ready to be called into action should injuries demand it.
The Path to That Moment
Ville Husso’s journey to that unforgettable night in Boston began years earlier and thousands of miles away. Born on February 6, 1995, in Helsinki, Finland, Husso emerged as one of the top goaltending prospects in his home country. Standing at 6-foot-3 and boasting calm positioning and fluid lateral movement, Husso impressed scouts early on with his play in Finland’s Liiga for HIFK. His breakout year came in 2015–16, when he posted a 1.91 GAA and a .927 save percentage, earning him the Urpo Ylönen Award as the league’s top goaltender.
Recognizing his potential, the St. Louis Blues selected Husso in the fourth round, 94th overall, of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. The pick was considered savvy, a potential high-value selection for a team that had long been seeking long-term consistency in net. Husso made the jump to North America for the 2016-17 season and began to adapt to the smaller rinks and faster play of the AHL and ECHL.
The 2018-19 Season: A Crucible for Future Stars
While the St. Louis Blues were fighting for their playoff lives in the early months of the 2018–19 NHL season, Ville Husso was manning the crease for the Blues’ AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage. At the time, Jordan Binnington was also considered a minor-league option, battling for playing time and recognition. Few could have predicted that Binnington would be called up midseason and go on to lead the Blues to glory. Husso, meanwhile, was regarded by many analysts as the better long-term prospect between the two, but a nagging injury during the season derailed what might have been his breakout campaign.
Despite the setbacks, Husso maintained a solid presence in San Antonio. His .871 save percentage and 3.67 goals-against average during that year didn’t reflect the totality of his efforts—particularly when considering the Rampage’s struggles as a team. Husso continued to refine his technique, demonstrate his work ethic in practices, and prepare mentally for whatever opportunity might come his way.
As the NHL playoffs began, the Blues’ brain trust knew they needed depth between the pipes. With Husso healthy again and already under contract, he was called up as one of the team’s “Black Aces.” While he would not dress for a game, his role became invaluable. He practiced with the squad, stayed ready for emergencies, and provided moral and strategic support for the team’s primary netminders.
A Skater in the Shadows, A Moment in the Spotlight
Then came that night—June 12, 2019. The Blues had defied the odds, rising from last place in the NHL on January 3 to hoist the most coveted trophy in professional hockey. After the final horn, after the hugs and tears and champagne showers, the Cup began its traditional lap around the ice. Players skated one by one, each basking in their moment.
When Ville Husso’s turn came, it was more than a ceremonial gesture. It was recognition—of perseverance, of sacrifice, of being part of something bigger than himself. Though he had not dressed for a single NHL game that season, Husso had been an integral part of the machine that powered the Blues’ improbable championship. For a goalie whose NHL debut would come the following year, the chance to lift the Cup at Boston Garden, even symbolically, was the kind of once-in-a-lifetime moment that transcends stat sheets.
After the Cup: A Career Begins
In the seasons that followed, Husso finally made his NHL debut on January 31, 2021, for the Blues in a relief role against the Anaheim Ducks. He would go on to post strong numbers in the COVID-affected 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, eventually becoming a trusted starting option. In 2022, the Detroit Red Wings saw enough potential to trade for and sign him to a three-year, $14.25 million deal.
His NHL journey, which took longer than some expected, had truly begun. But nothing would quite match the emotional resonance of that night in Boston, where a young Finnish goaltender stood at the edge of hockey immortality, not as a spectator, but as a quiet contributor to a storybook ending.
Conclusion: A Testament to the Whole Team
Ville Husso’s 2019 Stanley Cup moment stands as a reminder of how championships are built—not only by the stars who fill the highlight reels but by the entire organizational roster. His skate with the Cup was a reward not just for participation, but for dedication, for being part of the behind-the-scenes scaffolding that makes winning possible.
It is a hockey truth that resonates deeply: Sometimes the biggest contributions are made when no one is watching. And for Ville Husso, that silent sacrifice was met with the ultimate reward—etched forever in silver and celebrated on a historic night in Boston.