The St. Louis Blues held a press conference at Enterprise Center on Thursday morning to unveil significant changes in their hockey operations staff. Blues Chairman, Tom Stillman, presented a succession plan that included contract extensions, promotions, and the appointment of a new general manager.

Doug Armstrong, the current President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, had two years left on his contract. However, during the press conference, Stillman revealed that Armstrong had signed a three-year extension, securing his position as the president of hockey operations until the 2028-29 season.

The major announcement also introduced Alexander Steen as the Blues' next general manager. Steen, who has been working with the Blues' European prospects for the past year, will now return to St. Louis in the new role of special assistant to the general manager.

Steen will serve in this capacity for two seasons, learning from Armstrong before officially assuming the role as the 12th general manager in franchise history. This transition is set to take place after the 2025-26 season.

To support the organizational changes, Tim Taylor, who has been with the Blues since 2011, has been promoted to the position of assistant general manager. Taylor's focus will be on the player side of operations, while Ryan Miller, the current Assistant General Manager, will continue to handle logistics, including salary cap implications and contracts.

According to Stillman, these plans have been in the works for some time. Armstrong had expressed the need for a new general manager earlier this year, and Stillman was open to the idea while emphasizing the desire to retain Armstrong's expertise. These recent moves fulfill both requirements and position the Blues for success in the present and future.

The Blues' management changes signal a period of transition and growth for the organization. With Armstrong's contract extension, Steen's appointment as special assistant to the general manager, and Taylor's promotion to assistant general manager, the Blues are poised to build upon their storied legacy while embracing a new era of leadership.

The St. Louis Blues are confident that these changes will further strengthen their hockey operations and lead to continued success on and off the ice. The team looks forward to the guidance and contributions of Doug Armstrong, Alexander Steen, and the entire revamped staff as they strive for greatness in the seasons to come.