Ken Hitchcock

St. Louis Blues coach Ken Hitchcock has agreed to a one-year contract extension with the club that will run through the 2013-14 season. There is also a mutual option for the 2014-15 season. The upcoming season, 2012-13, was the final year of the 60 year old’s deal prior to the extension.  “I feel like we are putting together a quality program here,” Hitchcock said in a statement. “We had a good year finishing where we did in the standings but this club is not satisfied with our ending and firmly believes we have great things to come.”

The Blues hired Hitchcock last November to replace Davis Payne after the team opened the season with a record of 6-7. He led the Blues to a 43-15-11 finish. The club’s 109 points were the second-most in franchise history and helped the Blues to their first Central Division championship since 2000.