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Blues extend Hitchcock, part ways with Agnew and Hirsch

Ken Hitchcock

Head coach Ken Hitchcock of the St. Louis Blues leads his team against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on February 20, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Blues 1-0 in overtime. (February 19, 2013 - Source: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America)

The St. Louis Blues have given head coach Ken Hitchcock a one-year contract extension, the club announced on Wednesday.

Hitchcock, who led the team to a franchise-best 52 wins last season but suffered a second consecutive opening-round playoff loss, will be back behind the bench next year along with assistant Ray Bennett and associate coach Brad Shaw.

The Blues did make a couple of changes following their disappointing defeat to Chicago, however, opting to part ways with assistant coach Gary Agnew -- who had been with the club since 2012 -- and goalie coach Corey Hirsch.

“I would like to thank Gary and Corey for their diligence and dedication as members of our organization, and wish them nothing but success in their future endeavors,” Blues GM Doug Armstrong said in a statement.

Hitchcock’s one-year extension is interesting, as it seems pretty clear his future in St. Louis will be decided by what the team does in next year’s playoffs. The Blues have enjoyed tremendous success over the last three regular seasons but have faltered in the postseason, advancing to the second round just once while getting dumped in consecutive years by the two defending Stanley Cup champions, Los Angeles and Chicago.