ST. LOUIS — The Blues announced their succession plan to replace General Manager Doug Armstrong in the coming years.
In a press conference Thursday, owner Tom Stillman announced that Alexander Steen signed a five-year contract to serve as an assistant to Armstrong for two years before taking over for Armstrong.
In addition to announcing the deal for Steen, Stillman announced a contract extension for Armstrong, who will remain with the team as the president of hockey operations after Steen takes the GM role.
Stillman said he has seen Armstrong put the good of the Blues above everything "even when that might not be the best thing for Doug himself."
"So it wasn't surprising to me when, earlier this year, Doug started making the case to me that it was time to start moving toward a new general manager, and it probably wasn't surprising to Doug that while I was open to moving to a new GM, I also wanted to make sure that the Blues organization would keep the man I consider the best manager in hockey," Stillman said.
Steen retired as a player in the middle of the 2019-20 season, but Armstrong said Steen has remained close to the team. Armstrong said he has visited Steen in Europe multiple times in the last year.
Armstrong said things will remain mostly unchanged in the near future, but Steen will take over in a few years.
"For the next couple of years, it's going to be business as usual. Alexander will be with the team, he will be out scouting with me, he'll be out scouting with our staff, and then he will take the reins."
Armstrong started with the Blues as an assistant to the GM in 2008. After two years working under Larry Pleau, Armstrong took over as general manager. In his time as GM, the Blues won their first Stanley Cup and made 10 playoff appearances.
Armstrong won GM of the Year for the 2011-12 season.
In addition to serving as Blues GM, Armstrong has been a member of Hockey Canada's management group.
Steen has a 15-year playing career including 12 with the Blues. He is a Winnipeg native.