According to the St. Louis Blues, former NHL star Keith Tkachuk has been promoted to adviser to the president of hockey operations at age 54, stepping into his new role while continuing to evaluate prospects at the World Junior Summer Showcase. Tkachuk, who scored 538 career goals, received the promotion following front-office changes that named Doug Armstrong president of hockey operations and Alexander Steen general manager.
Keith Tkachuk Rises to Adviser Role Under Doug Armstrong
Former NHL power forward Keith Tkachuk has expanded his front-office responsibilities with the St. Louis Blues. According to the St. Louis Blues, the 54-year-old received a promotion to adviser to the president of hockey operations. The organizational update arrived July 1, immediately following the transition of Doug Armstrong to president of hockey operations and Alexander Steen to general manager.
Tkachuk previously served as an amateur scout for the franchise from 2014 to 2018 before taking on the role of director of recruitment in 2019. Speaking about his ongoing responsibilities, Tkachuk stated that he really likes what he does on the amateur side and does not expect his day-to-day focus to change drastically.
“Doug obviously has all the experience in the world,” Tkachuk said according to team reports. “Any time you can get close to him and learn from him, I think it’ll help not only me, but it’ll help our organization.”
Scouting the Next Generation at the World Junior Summer Showcase
Despite his front-office promotion, Tkachuk remains heavily involved on the ice-level evaluation side. According to event coverage, he spent a Monday in the stands at the WFCU Center scouting the World Junior Summer Showcase. The international tournament features hockey prospects from Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States.
Alongside his duties with the Blues, Tkachuk continues to assist USA Hockey in selecting the roster for the IIHF World Junior Championship. Rejecting the idea of an offseason break in Florida or St. Louis, Tkachuk emphasized his enduring connection to the game.
Did You Know?
Keith Tkachuk scored 538 goals during his NHL career spanning from 1991 to 2010. That mark places him second in goals among United States-born players, trailing Mike Modano, who scored 561 goals.
“The easiest thing to do is sit in Florida or St. Louis and hang out and play golf, but I love being around the guys,” Tkachuk said. “I want to help our organization.”
Preparation for the Hockey Hall of Fame Induction
The front-office promotion coincides with a major personal milestone for the former forward. On June 22, Tkachuk received the call notifying him of his selection to the Hockey Hall of Fame. According to Tkachuk, the news caught him completely by surprise.
“Obviously, it was one of the biggest highlights of my life,” Tkachuk said. “I was really pumped to tell the family but also tell my mom. Just to see her reaction made it all worthwhile.”
The induction ceremony is scheduled for November 9 in Toronto. Ahead of the event, Tkachuk noted that he received approximately 800 text messages of congratulations and must soon finalize his acceptance speech. While he handles the speech preparations, Tkachuk confirmed that his wife, Chantal, is organizing the celebration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Keith Tkachuk’s new role with the St. Louis Blues?
A: According to the St. Louis Blues, Tkachuk was promoted to adviser to the president of hockey operations.
Q: Who took over as general manager of the St. Louis Blues?
A: Alexander Steen took over as general manager, while Doug Armstrong rose to president of hockey operations, according to team announcements.
Q: When is the Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony?
A: The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place in Toronto on November 9.
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