The 2011-12 campaign will be recalled fondly by the St. Louis Blues thanks in large part to the impact of bench boss Ken Hitchcock. In the “what have you done for me lately” paradigm that the NHL currently exists in, Hitch has done quite a lot. The 24th head coach in franchise history was rewarded for his efforts Wednesday.
From the Blues’ official website:
ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced Wednesday the club has signed Head Coach Ken Hitchcock through the 2013-14 season.
The contract also has an option for the 2014-15 season that will be jointly decided on.
The 60-year old Edmonton native joined the Blues on November 6th, 2011 when then head coach Davis Payne was removed from the position after a sluggish 6-7-0 start through 13 games. In his first 10 games Hitchcock would set a new franchise record with a 7-1-2 run to begin his tenure in St. Louis. He led the Blues to a 49 win, 109 point season. A mark good enough for second overall in the Western Conference, a Central Division title, and the team’s first 100+ point season since 2001. Not to mention his fourth Jack Adams nomination and first win.
Hitchcock’s NHL coaching career began in 1995 with the Dallas Stars and to date has covered 15 seasons. In total he’s coached 1,110 games (13th all-time) and won 576 of them (11th all-time) between the Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Blues. In terms of the playoffs: 130 games (8th all-time), 70 wins (11th all-time), 2 Stanley Cup Finals appearances (Dallas 1999, 2000) and one Finals victory (1999).
Though much has been accomplished by the Blues and their head coach, there is still a long journey ahead to be where both want to go. To make a long playoff run and hoist the holy grail. No matter the capacity, Hitchcock wants to be a part of it.
"Regardless of what happens in a few years, I want to stick around for a long time. This is it for me. This is my last stop and I want this to be a successful franchise for the next 10 or 15 years, and I want to be part of it even if I'm not coaching. “
"We're going to have ups and downs, we're going to have good times and bad times, but to me, I really trust the people in management, scouting and everything here. There's a great working relationship with the coaching staff, which for me is very unique in sports. It feels like it did way back in Dallas and that's why I want to stick around."
General Manger Doug Armstrong seems content to oblige and indicated he has talked with the coach about staying on when his days leading the troops on the ice are done. To that end Hitchcock elaborated on the reasoning for the additional year and mutual option the following season.
“I just felt that if I don’t have the energy at the end of the current term, I don’t want to do the job. I don’t think its fair to anybody for me to do it further if I don’t have the necessary energy. I’m happy with the way it works.”
If success like last season’s continues to follow, Hitch will be around for a while.
My Take
If your hockey antenna is picking up a signal that’s because there has been a message sent. Proactively locking down the key piece that allowed much of the puzzle to come together so well says many things about the organization’s perspective.
- Ownership believes in who is in place. From management to scouting to coaching. If not, changes would have been made already or clearly indicated to come in the future. Sure sounds like Armstrong is the next to earn an extension.
- There is a belief that the window to compete and join the league’s elite is opening.
- The right players are in house already. Commitment to the group that brought the team to the level it reached is there. Good news for the free agents the Blues want to bring back.
Mild hesitation is understandable for those who recall what happened to Andy Murray a few years ago. Half a season after earning a Jack Adams nomination and extension he was fired to allow Payne to rise out the AHL ranks from Peoria. Hitchcock was dismissed from Columbus in a similar situation.
Something just feels different this time around though. Many of the players who were around at the time – and accused of quitting on Murray – are older now and better comprehend the world operating around them. Arguably more suited to withstand the rigors of the top pro hockey league in the world and react correctly. If Hitchcock can change, the players can, too.
Your Take
What do you think Blues fans? Are you all for bringing Hitch back or are you fearful of the Murray scenario?
Quick Hit Randomness
- Congrats to former Blues forward Adam Oates on his Hall of Fame nomination and new job as the head coach of the Washington Capitals. Apologies are in order for omitting him from my last post. As someone who grew up watching the man set up Brett Hull countless times, I am ashamed. Kudos to Joe Sakic, Mats Sundin, and Pavel Bure as well. Of the whole lot who could have been voted in, no one deserved it more than Sakic.
- Is anyone else besides me baffled that Brendan Shanahan wasn’t a first ballot nomination? If I had to bump one out, it would have been Sundin.
- Blues forwards David Backes, Jamie Langenbrunner, and BJ Crombeen are three of the 31 players on the NHLPA negotiating committee.
-
Thanks for reading!
As always, you’re welcome to follow me on Twitter:
@JTQ_1 
St Louis Blues Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»