It’s been two weeks since Cam Fowler had to make one of the biggest decisions of his career: accept a trade to St. Louis or remain in Anaheim as a member of the Ducks.

Fowler could only be traded to four teams without his permission, but waived his no-trade clause to become a Blue, as St. Louis received Fowler and a 2027 fourth-round draft pick for ECHL defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka and a 2027 second-round pick. Anaheim also agreed to retain $2.5 million of Fowler’s $6.5 million salary-cap hit in order to make the deal happen.

But once the teams agreed on a price, the decision was up to Fowler. Why did he choose to accept the trade?

“I think there’s a variety of different things,” Fowler said after the team’s 7-4 win over Nashville on Friday night. “I think just in the point I was at in my career, kind of looking towards the future, I felt like I had given Anaheim everything that I possibly could and I just think myself and my family, we were open for a change.

“I know that the Blues have been interested for a couple years now. We got the phone call that the wheels were in motion. I looked at the roster, I looked at the coach, all the people on the team. I know how important this team is to the city. I just put it all together and took a leap of faith for my career, honestly.

“It’s early, but I’m super thankful that I’ve done that. I think it was just time to turn the page. The Blues were there and they were willing to take me, and excited about having me. That was a big part of it as well.”

Fowler, 33, has fit in easily with the Blues and he tied a career high three points on Friday night with a goal and two assists. That gave him five points and a plus-6 rating in seven games with the Blues.

“You see him out there, he has a smile on his face,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “I think he’s just loving being on the ice. It’s a breath of fresh air for him, it seems like, you’d have to ask him to know for sure. But he’s playing great hockey for us in all situations. He really quarterbacked that power play really well tonight.”

On Friday night, Fowler clanked in a shot from the point at the exact moment a Blues power play expired for his first goal with St. Louis. Technically, the goal came at even strength, even if it was developed on the man-advantage.

Fowler assisted on Jordan Kyrou’s first-period goal, and on Robert Thomas’ power-play goal in the third period.

“I’ve felt so supported since I’ve been here with the crowd and the organization,” Fowler said. “I’m grateful for that. Always nice to get the first one out of the way. That was actually the first of the season, too, so you can kind of get the monkey off the back with the season and the team. It’s nice to put that behind me and just keep moving forward.”

The Blues have entrusted Fowler to take on big minutes since he’s put on the Note. He’s found a home alongside Colton Parayko on the top defensive pairing. He’s elevated to the No. 1 power-play unit that began to produce on Friday. He joins Parayko on the ice for the penalty kill. And he’s played in both overtimes since his acquisition on Dec. 14.

In his seven games, Fowler has averaged 22:07 of ice time per game, which is third-most on the Blues. That’s more than a minute more than his usage in Anaheim this season.

“I knew it was going to be a transition for me,” Fowler said. “I’d been in one place for 14 years, and become really comfortable there. I have to give credit to the organization for making it so seamless for me and making myself and my family feel welcome.

“I get to play with a great ‘D’ partner who makes life easy, play for a great coach and an organization that believes in their players. They’ve made my job very easy and I just can go out and focus on hockey and try and do the best I can. I’ve been so thankful and grateful for how everyone’s treated me since I’ve come here. It’s made the transition a lot easier on me.”

At 5 on 5, Fowler and Parayko have also controlled 56% of shots on goal and the Blues have outscored opponents 6-4.

“In every game he’s played for us, he’s had a positive impact for us every night,” Montgomery said.

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