Bildnummer: 09969161 Datum: 22.02.2012 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI 22 February 2012: former St. Louis Blues star Keith Tkachuk shakes hands with St. Louis Blues center David Backes (42) with Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) on the right before the first period of an NHL Eishockey Herren USA game between the Boston Bruins and the St Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center in St Louis, Missouri. NHL Eishockey Herren USA FEB 22 Bruins at Blues PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon23702221203; Eishockey USA NHL xcb x0x 2012 quer Image number 09969161 date 22 02 2012 Copyright imago Icon Smi 22 February 2012 Former St Louis Blues Star Keith Tkachuk Shakes Hands with St Louis Blues Center David Backes 42 with Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara 33 ON The Right Before The First Period of to NHL Ice hockey men USA Game between The Boston Bruins and The St Louis Blues AT The Scottrade Center in St Louis Missouri NHL Ice hockey men USA Feb 22 Bruins AT Blues PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Ice hockey USA NHL x0x 2012 horizontal
Bildnummer: 09969161 Datum: 22.02.2012 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI 22 February 2012: former St. Louis Blues star Keith Tkachuk shakes hands with St. Louis Blues center David Backes (42) with Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) on the right before the first period of an NHL Eishockey Herren USA game between the Boston Bruins and the St Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center in St Louis, Missouri. NHL Eishockey Herren USA FEB 22 Bruins at Blues PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon23702221203; Eishockey USA NHL xcb x0x 2012 quer Image number 09969161 date 22 02 2012 Copyright imago Icon Smi 22 February 2012 Former St Louis Blues Star Keith Tkachuk Shakes Hands with St Louis Blues Center David Backes 42 with Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara 33 ON The Right Before The First Period of to NHL Ice hockey men USA Game between The Boston Bruins and The St Louis Blues AT The Scottrade Center in St Louis Missouri NHL Ice hockey men USA Feb 22 Bruins AT Blues PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Ice hockey USA NHL x0x 2012 horizontal
Keith Tkachuk took on his new role with the St. Louis Blues and USA Hockey duties this week. He scouted the World Junior Summer Showcase in Windsor, Ontario, on Monday, July 27.
The event had young prospects from Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States. This is one of his first major appearances since a busy and eventful offseason.
"There's something about being on a team that'll never change," Keith Tkachuk said, per the NHL. "I got a few years off after retiring. 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. I want to help our organization.”
Keith Tkachuk's interview as reported by NHL.com captured his enthusiasm towards guiding the next generation of players.
June 22, 2018 - Dallas, TX, USA - DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22, 2018 - Brady Tkachuk hugs his father and U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame forward Keith Tkachuk after being selected 4th overall pick to the Ottawa Senators during the first round of the 2018 NHL Eishockey Herren USA Draft at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 2018 NHL Draft - ZUMAn158 20180622_zap_n158_505 Copyright: xErichxSchlegelx
June 22, 2018 - Dallas, TX, USA - DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22, 2018 - Brady Tkachuk hugs his father and U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame forward Keith Tkachuk after being selected 4th overall pick to the Ottawa Senators during the first round of the 2018 NHL Eishockey Herren USA Draft at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 2018 NHL Draft - ZUMAn158 20180622_zap_n158_505 Copyright: xErichxSchlegelx
He recently got a promotion within the Blues organization. He is now the adviser to the president of hockey operations. At the same time, he continues to help USA Hockey select rosters for international tournaments.
Many retired players choose a quieter life. But 54-year-old Keith Tkachuk, the former power forward, chose to stay hands-on with hockey operations and clearly reflects his connection that runs deep to the sport.
But this offseason brought in several major milestones for Tkachuks. Keith was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in June, and his sons, Matthew and Brady, became teammates on the Florida Panthers.
St. Louis promoted Doug Armstrong to president of hockey operations and named Alexander Steen general manager on July 1. Keith Tkachuk's new advisory role fits into that larger shift in leadership in the Blues’ office.
He will be reporting directly to Doug Armstrong, the team's president of hockey operations. In this new role, he will directly travel to major hockey tournaments to scout top-tier professional, international, and junior talent.
Finally, it came as a full-circle moment for Keith Tkachuk.
From player to front-office adviser
Before all this, Tkachuk built one of the most productive careers among American-born NHL players.
According to the stats from the Hockey Reference, he scored 538 goals, 527 assists, and 1,065 points across 1,201 games over 18 NHL seasons. That goal total itself ranks second among U.S.-born players, trailing only Mike Modano.
Winnipeg selected Keith Tkachuk as the 19th overall pick in the 1990 NHL Draft. He went on to play for the Jets, Coyotes, Blues, and Thrashers between 1991 and 2010. And then he earned two NHL All-Star selections in his NHL journey as a player.
When it comes to front office roles, Keith Tkachuk has served as the Blues’ director of recruitment since 2019 after previously working as an amateur scout from 2014 to 2018.
The Hockey Hall of Fame will be formally inducting him on November 9 in Toronto. His accomplishments and records as a player will forever continue to shape how he looks at taking on his current role within the Blues organization.
What do you think about Tkachuk's continued impact on the Blues? Let us know in the comments below.
Read more at NHL Fan Central!
Written by
Aadhya Nalla
Edited by
Soheli Tarafdar