The St. Louis Blues have made the decision to appoint Steve Konowalchuk as the new head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. This announcement was officially reported by the St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, Doug Armstrong.
Steve Konowalchuk, aged 51 and originating from Salt Lake City, Utah, boasts an extensive coaching career. His most recent role was as an associate coach with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, where he played a crucial part in leading the team to a 40-25-7 regular-season record, securing a fifth-place finish in the Western Conference.
Konowalchuk’s coaching career commenced in Colorado, where he spent two seasons as an assistant coach for the Avalanche. Following this, he assumed the position of head coach for the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds in 2011, where he remained for six seasons. Under his guidance, the Thunderbirds made five postseason appearances, with the highlight being their 2017 Ed Chynoweth Cup win (WHL championship).
Following his time in Seattle, Konowalchuk served as an assistant coach for the Anaheim Ducks for one season before taking on the role of head coach for the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels for two seasons.
Aside from his coaching career, Konowalchuk also enjoyed a successful 14-year NHL playing career after being drafted by the Washington Capitals in 1991. He appeared in 790 career NHL regular-season games, with 693 of those games being played for the Capitals. He also notably represented the United States in various international competitions, including the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, where he earned a gold medal.
The appointment of Steve Konowalchuk is a significant development for the Springfield Thunderbirds, and it will be fascinating to observe how his wealth of experience and expertise will influence the team’s performance in the upcoming AHL season. The St. Louis Blues undoubtedly hold high hopes for the impact that Konowalchuk will have on their AHL affiliate.
In conclusion, Steve Konowalchuk’s remarkable background as both a player and coach positions him as a valuable addition to the Springfield Thunderbirds. Both the team and the St. Louis Blues organization are eagerly anticipating the upcoming AHL season under his leadership.