St. Louis Blues news release
ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues Head Coach Ken Hitchcock has been named the recipient of his first career Jack Adams Award by the National Hockey League (NHL). The Jack Adams Award is given annually to the coach judged to have contributed the most to his team’s success. Former Blues head coaches to win the award include Joel Quenneville in 2000, Brian Sutter in 1991 and Red Berenson in 1981.
Hitchcock was named the 24th Head Coach in franchise history on November 6, 2011 and led the Blues to their first 100-point season (49-22-11, 109 pts) since 2001, first Central Division title since 2000 as well as their first playoff series win since 2002. He set a franchise record for the best 10-game start for a new Blues coach (7-1-2) and became the sixth different coach in club history to record over 40 wins in a season. In addition, the club broke or tied 13 franchise records, including a 21-game home points streak and 30 home wins overall. The Blues allowed the NHL's fewest goals against by a wide margin (165), the fewest shots per game (26.7) and posted the most shutouts (15). Hitchcock finished the regular season 13th all-time in games coached (1,110) and 11th in wins (576) while in playoff history he ranks 9th all-time in games (127) and 11th in wins (70).
This is Hitchcock’s first career Jack Adams award and fourth time being nominated (finished second in 1997 and third in 1998 and 1999).
