Jackman added as developmental coach

Blues' first-round pick in 1999 joins Sydor, Ott as former players to coaching staff

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The Blues continue to keep the pipeline open for former players returning to work for the organization after their playing careers ended.

After announcing last week that former defenseman Darryl Sydor and forward Steve Ott were added as assistant coaches to Mike Yeo's staff, the Blues announced on Friday they are bringing back former defenseman Barret Jackman as the team's developmental coach.

Barret Jackman

Jackman, who called it quits after a 14-year playing career (13 with the Blues and one with Nashville) last October, will move into a coaching role that will have him working with the organization's defensemen, primarily prospects and draft picks.

"I actually had conversations with (Blues general manager) Doug Armstrong a couple of years ago about life after hockey," Jackman said on the team website. "Those talks furthered after retirement and 'Army' gave me an opportunity in the last couple months of the season to do this job on an interim basis just to see if I liked it. I enjoyed hanging out with the guys, being around the locker room with the Chicago (Wolves) and working with the younger up-and-coming guys.

"It seemed like a great fit for me."

Armstrong said on the team's website: "We are excited to have Barret back with the Blues organization. Barret's leadership and understanding of the game will be a great benefit to our young players."

Jackman, who had 29 goals and 157 assists in 876 NHL regular-season games and was named rookie of the year in 2002, was the 17th pick in the 1999 NHL Draft and is second only to Bernie Federko (927) in games played in a Blues uniform with 803.

"I think the development thing is perfect for me," Jackman added. "I have an opportunity just to focus on a couple of guys instead of a whole team. I always felt as a player that I was pretty good in helping the younger guys, and this is an opportunity to continue to do that without having to get beat up on the ice every day."