St. Louis Blues secure Ken Hitchcock with one-year extension -NHL offseason Update
Ken Hitchcock proved to be an invaluable asset for St. Louis Blues and they could not imagine losing the revolutionising coach as the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise announced a one-year extension for their main man behind the bench on Wednesday,
June 27, 2012.
Surprisingly, one year was not the length that most analysts had on mind after Hitchcock led the Blues to one of their best season endings in franchise history along with a strong run in the playoffs. But this decision was one that Hitchcock made for himself.
At the age of 60, securing a long-term deal just does not seem to be feasible for the veteran coach as he does not want to disappoint in the long run.
"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," Hitchcock said. "I don't think it's fair to anybody for me to do it further if I don't have the necessary energy. I'm happy with how it works. I'm sure
we'll find a way to make it work providing that all of us think that I have that necessary energy."
Fortunately, Hitchcock did add that if he found the energy to continue after the 2012-2013 regular season, continuing to coach should not be such a hard choice to make.
The St. Louis Blues are set for the upcoming season according to coach Hitchcock, making the next one that a lot of fans are looking forward to.
"I think what's really exciting for us right now is we don't need to make a lot of changes, and there aren't a lot of gaping holes in our hockey club," Hitchcock said. "We've got a great nucleus here and a lot of younger guys that are going to get better
just because they're a year older.”
St. Louis Blues ended the regular season with 109 points, just three away from winning the Presidents’ Trophy. They went in to the postseason and eliminated San Jose Sharks in just five games but were eliminated by 2012 Stanley Cup winner, Los Angeles Kings,
in four straight matchups.
Tags: