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Blues extend Hitchcock through 2013-14

St. Louis Blues v Pittsburgh Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 23: Head Coach Ken Hitchcock of the St. Louis Blues shouts instructions to his team during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 23, 2011 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. St. Louis defeated Pittsburgh 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

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The NHL’s reigning coach of the year will be with the Blues for at least the next two seasons.

That’s the word out of St. Louis as Jeremy Rutherford of the Post-Dispatch reports the Blues have signed Ken Hitchcock to a one-year extension -- meaning he’s under contract through the 2013-14 season.

The contract also includes a “mutual” option for the 2014-15 campaign.

“This is it for me. This is my last stop,” Hitchcock said. “I want this to be a successful franchise for the next 10-15 years, and I want to be part of it, even if I’m not coaching.”

Hitchcock won the Jack Adams over John Tortorella and Paul MacLean by going 43-15-11 after taking over from Davis Payne in November. It’s not surprising the Blues wanted to lock him up after such a performance, but...

It is interesting to see St. Louis retained Hitch through year three -- holding out on the option for four -- because if Hitchcock’s last two stops in Philadelphia and Columbus are any indication, his expiry date usually coincides with his fourth year on the job.

The Flyers fired him eight games into his fourth season on the job. The Blue Jackets fired him 58 games into year four.