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St Louis Blues Head Coach Ken Hitchcock Signs 1-Year Deal

By Ryan Ritchie

May 19, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; St. Louis Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock watches during the first period in game three of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; St. Louis Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock watches during the first period in game three of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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St Louis Blues Head Coach Ken Hitchcock Signs One-Year Deal, Plans to Retire at End of 2016-17

One more season for St Louis Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock. That’s the news the hockey world received on Tuesday morning.

St Louis Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock signed a one-year extension to stay with the club through 2016-17. At which point, the 64-year-old legend behind the bench plans to call it quits after a long successful coaching career.

“Ken did a fabulous job, in my opinion, throughout the regular season and throughout the playoffs,” said GM Doug Armstrong.

Next year with be his sixth season as bench boss in St.Louis.

"via Sportsnet,“I want to stay on one-year deals,” he told Hockey Central. “I don’t want to be sitting ripping off a team and taking money when I’m not doing anything. I just feel comfortable taking one-year deals to be honest with you.”“I just feel like I’ve got this really good year in me,” Hitchcock said. “This season has invigorated me like no season before.”"

The general consensus following another disappointing finish was that Hitch would likely be safe for at least another year, while change in player personnel was expected. It seems Doug Armstrong tends to agree with those experts/analysts.

Not everyone is excited about the extension. There are some in the local community, and throughout the hockey world who feel St Louis Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock has taken this team as far as he can.

Former Blues forward Andy McDonald took to twitter amidst the news. It seems clear the pair had a rocky relationship.

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Much was made of the ongoing spat between St Louis Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock and star player Vladimir Tarasenko during the 2016 playoffs.

This wouldn’t be the first time a player has butt heads with Hitch. The same coaching methods that were used to motivate players 10-20 years ago, aren’t necessarily as effective nowadays.

What works to motivate a 30+ year old veteran, doesn’t always work for the 19-year-old kid who grew up in a different era.

It almost seems there’s a generational gap in the way he works behind the bench, at least in the way he handles the younger generation.

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"via Bleacher Report,Hitchcock is fourth on the all-time regular-season head coaching wins list with 757. Although his playoff success has been somewhat limited in recent years, he has reached the postseason in 14 of his 20 years as an NHL head coach with the Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets and Blues.He also won a Stanley Cup with the Stars in 1999 and led them to the Stanley Cup Final once again the following season."

Associate coaches were also offered similar contracts, but Brad Shaw had decided to pursue other opportunities within the league.

If St Louis Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock can lead his team to a 50-win season in 2016-17, he will pass the legendary Al Arbour (sitting at 782 wins – 49 ahead of Hitch). The ultimate goal will be getting this franchise over the hump to compete for a Stanley Cup, similar to what San Jose did this year.

Next: Troy Brouwer Eyeing Vancouver Canucks in Free Agency

We know 82 percent of players never reach a Stanley Cup Final, and the figure is certainly high for coaches as well. Even fewer can say they lead a team to back-to-back Cup Finals with a Championship in at least one of those years.

Good luck to Ken Hitchcock on his farewell tour next season. Regardless of what happens, Hitch is an NHL coaching legend with a resume to be proud of.

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