Blues' Ken Hitchcock will coach one more season

A conference final appearance was enough to keep Ken Hitchcock in St. Louis.

The Blues announced Tuesday that they had signed their coach to a one-year extension. It will be his last season as coach. Hitchcock was hired Nov. 7, 2011, and has helped guide the Blues to five consecutive playoff berths.

"I just feel like I've got this really good year in me," Hitchcock said. "This season has invigorated me like no season before."

However, the Blues had been ousted in the first round for three years in a row prior to this season. That streak, coupled with Hitchock's expiring contract, suggested his future with the Blues was in doubt. The 64-year-old has signed back-to-back one-year extensions.

After finishing with a 49-24-9 record, the Blues knocked out the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars in the playoffs. They fell to the San Jose Sharks in six games in the conference final, the Blues’ first appearance in that round in 15 years.

Hitchcock will coach in his 20th season in 2016-17. He has a 757-453-88-106 record.