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Sports

Blues reward Hitchcock with extension

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

St. Louis, MO – The St. Louis Blues rewarded head coach Ken Hitchcock with a contract extension on Wednesday.

The extension runs through the 2013-14 season and includes an option for the 2014-15 season that will be jointly decided on.

Hitchcock was honored as the NHL's top coach, taking home the Jack Adams Award, for his efforts last season.

The 60-year-old Hitchcock took over for Davis Payne on November 6 and turned a team languishing with a 6-7-0 record into a Presidents' Trophy contender. The Blues finished the year tied for second in the league with 109 points (49-22-11) and wrested the Central Division away from the rival Red Wings for the first time since 2000.

The Blues recorded their first playoff series win since 2002, but were swept by the Stanley Cup champion Kings in the Western Conference semifinals.

"I feel like we are putting together a quality program here," said Hitchcock. "We had a good year finishing where we did in the standings (tied for second in NHL with 109 points) but this club is not satisfied with our ending and firmly believes we have great things to come."

Blues executive vice president and general manager Doug Armstrong feels that Hitchcock can take the team to the next level.

"Ken came in and immediately steadied our group and was able to get each one of our players to elevate their game," said Armstrong. "He still has the passion and drive to be a Head Coach in this League and is committed to taking this team to the next level."