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Blues defenseman Ryan Suter was ready to reach rarified air on Saturday night when he was set to play in his 1,500th career NHL game, becoming the 22nd player in NHL history to do so.

Suter would become the third American-born player to reach 1,500 (after Chris Chelios and Matt Cullen) and the seventh defenseman in league history to reach the milestone, behind Zdeno Chara, Chelios, Scott Stevens, Larry Murphy, Ray Bourque and Nicklas Lidstrom.

Suter is in his 20th NHL season after debuting for the Nashville Predators in 2005, and also spending time in Minnesota and Dallas. He signed a one-year contract with the Blues over the summer, and has played in every game this season.

“I’m playing because I enjoy playing,� Suter said. “I enjoy being around these guys. The friendships you make throughout your career, and just the compete, the battle within the game. That’s why you play, but then to hit a number like that, it’s a cherry on top.�

At age 40, Suter is the oldest skater in the league but is averaging 20:30 of ice time per game. The Blues signed him to play in their top-four, but Suter began the season on the third pairing after the club acquired Philip Broberg via offer sheet. When the Blues were without Nick Leddy (and before the acquisition of Cam Fowler), Suter filled in on the top pair with Colton Parayko, and was playing more 5-on-5 minutes than anyone in the NHL.

Suter entered Saturday’s game against the Blackhawks with one goal and nine assists in 55 games.

“Before last game, it was kind of in my mind and, honestly, I had a tough time sleeping just thinking ‘OK, I’m that close to doing it. What if you get hurt or something?’� Suter said. “You think all the worst thoughts. Now that that’s over and can get ready for (Saturday’s) game, I’m excited.�

Blues coach Jim Montgomery: “It’s not only how long playing in the league, but the durability to do it injury-free. And he doesn’t play a soft game. He plays a hard game. Very bright, understands positioning, that’s why he’s been able to play so many minutes for so many years, and why he’s helped our ‘D’ corps so much.�

On Friday, Suter reflected on his career that has spanned two decades. Here are some highlights.

He credits the mental side of the sport for allowing his longevity in the NHL.

“I give all the young guys a hard time because I tell everybody it’s all mental,� Suter said. “You’re sick? Don’t be sick. You’re hurt? Don’t be hurt. Tell yourself that you’re good to go. Not one player in this league is healthy for all 82 games. You’re lucky if you feel good for 40 of them.

“My big message is it’s mental. There’s so many ups and downs throughout a season, the emotional roller coaster of a career. You’re feeling the top of the world and then you hit rock bottom, it’s how you respond to those things. I think the mind is a very powerful thing.�

Suter said that rock bottom for his career was being bought out in Minnesota in the summer of 2021 with four years remaining on his contract.

“Knowing that I had a really good year that year before and I knew I had a ton left in me,� Suter said. “I knew I could still play. That’s rock bottom. You’re feeling like ‘OK, what happened there?’ A couple hours later, you flip the switch and you move on, and you have 15 teams calling you trying to sign you as a free agent. That was rock bottom, and then you start using your mind. I know I can still play, you’ve got to tell yourself that, and then you go and prove it.�

He signed a four-year contract with the Stars that summer, and was bought out of the final year of that deal in 2024. That allowed him to join the Blues on a one-year contract worth the league minimum $775,000 — with $2.225 million in potential bonuses.

“I think I’ve proved that I can still play, and I feel great out there,� Suter said. “One thing I want to mention about this is you don’t get to this point without a lot of really good teammates that help you get through those times, phone calls from guys, and guys pushing you in practice and all the little stuff that you really don’t … think that much into it.�

Suter doesn’t remember much about his first NHL game, on Oct. 5, 2005, except that Nashville was playing San Jose. The reason he remembers the opponent? That was his uncle Gary Suter’s final team of a 17-year career, and the Predators were trying to convince Gary to come out of retirement to be Ryan’s defensive partner in his rookie season.

Gary was 41 at the time, and four years removed from playing in the NHL, so an all-Suter pairing didn’t happen.

“Back in the day, those guys played hard,� Suter said. “His body was pretty broken down. I’m thinking now he’s glad he didn’t come back because he can hardly walk now, he’s so banged up now.�

Suter said his oldest daughter, Avery, sent him a photo recently from his 1,000th game celebration, in Oct. 2018. Suter was holding his youngest son, Beau, then less than a year old. Now, Suter will be able to celebrate No. 1,500 with 14-year-old Brooks, 11-year-old Avery, 9-year-old Parker and 6-year-old Beau.

For Suter, his long career has meant his children being able to watch him play.

“I’ll be helping my daughter with homework and FaceTiming her, and I’ll be like ‘So, do you think I can play another year?’� Suter said. “She’s like ‘Yeah, dad, we want you (to).’ Then all the kids will hear it and they’ll come tell you.�

So does Suter want to play another year?

“If I can talk my wife into it,� Suter said with a laugh. “Honestly, we’ve talked about it and at first, she was like ‘Absolutely not.’ Now, she’s seeing how much fun I’m having. The only way I would want to play is if they would move down. It’s too hard to live away from your family.�

This season, Suter’s family has lived in Minnesota while he’s been in St. Louis.