Ken Hitchcock

Jack Adams winner who led the Blues to their first division title in twelve years.

via Wikipedia: Ken Hitchcock · see source

Ken Hitchcock coached the St. Louis Blues from November 6, 2011, until February 1, 2017. He was hired to replace Davis Payne and was fired mid-season during his planned final year before retirement. In his first season, he led the team to its first division title in twelve years and won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's best head coach. The Blues reached the Conference Finals once under Hitchcock, in 2016, losing to the San Jose Sharks in six games despite having home ice advantage.

Quick Facts

Hall of Fame

2023 (Builder)

Born

17 December 1951

Birthplace

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Coached for

Dallas Stars
Philadelphia Flyers
Columbus Blue Jackets
St. Louis Blues
Edmonton Oilers

Lore & Background

Hired on November 6, 2011, Hitchcock immediately transformed the St. Louis Blues. In his first season, he guided the team to a division championship, their first in twelve years, and was awarded the Jack Adams Trophy on June 20, 2012, as the NHL's best head coach. On February 12, 2015, he earned his 693rd career regular season win in a 6–3 defeat of the Tampa Bay Lightning, passing Dick Irvin for sole possession of fourth place on the all-time coaching wins list.

Just a month later, on March 12, he secured his 700th career win in a 1–0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. The 2015–16 season saw Hitchcock coach the Blues to the Conference Finals, where they were defeated by the San Jose Sharks in six games despite holding home ice advantage. On May 31, 2016, Hitchcock announced he would retire from coaching at the end of the 2016–17 season. However, he did not finish that season; on February 1, 2017, the Blues fired him and replaced him with Mike Yeo. He was fired one win away from tying Al Arbour's record (782) for third-most wins by an NHL head coach.

Reader's Guide

Ken Hitchcock's tenure with the St. Louis Blues began on November 6, 2011, when he was hired to replace the fired Davis Payne. He immediately made an impact, leading the team to its first division title in twelve years during the 2011–12 season. For this achievement, he was awarded the Jack Adams Award on June 20, 2012, as the NHL's best head coach. Over his time with the Blues, Hitchcock climbed the all-time coaching wins list.

On February 12, 2015, he earned his 693rd career win, passing Dick Irvin for fourth place. He reached the 700-win milestone on March 12, 2015, with a 1–0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. The pinnacle of his Blues tenure came in the 2015–16 season when he coached the team to the Conference Finals. Despite having home ice advantage, the Blues lost to the San Jose Sharks in six games.

On May 31, 2016, Hitchcock announced his intention to retire at the end of the 2016–17 season. However, on February 1, 2017, the Blues fired him, replacing him with Mike Yeo. He was dismissed just one game shy of tying Al Arbour's record for third-most wins by an NHL head coach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Ken Hitchcock in the context of the St. Louis Blues?

Ken Hitchcock served as the head coach for the Blues from November 2011 until February 2017, guiding the franchise through a significant period of rebuilding and success.

How far did the Blues advance in the playoffs under Hitchcock?

The team reached the Western Conference Finals in 2016, where they ultimately lost to the San Jose Sharks in six games despite having home ice advantage.