Sydor named assistant under Yeo

Two worked together for five seasons in Minnesota, gets three-year contract

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The Blues on Wednesday revealed one of the worst kept secrets regarding their assistant coaching vacancies.

Darryl Sydor

The team announced that former Blue and Chicago Wolves assistant coach Darryl Sydor will become an assistant in St. Louis after signing a three-year contract.

Sydor, who played for the Blues in 2009-10 as part of an 18-year career in the NHL, will likely take the spot vacated by Rick Wilson and work with the Blues' defenseman.

Sydor, 45, was a logical choice after working with Blues coach Mike Yeo when Yeo was coaching the Minnesota Wild from 2011-15.

"I am excited to have Darryl back on my staff," Yeo said in a statement. "He was an outstanding teacher during our time in Minnesota and will add a wealth of experience and knowledge to our team."

Sydor spent last season as an assistant with the American Hockey League's Wolves under Craig Berube, helping Chicago finish first in the Central Division in the regular season and reach the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. 

Sydor also served as an assistant on Yeo's coaching staff with the AHL's Houston Aeros in 2010-11.

Before beginning his coaching career, Sydor, the seventh overall draft pick to the Los Angeles Kings in 1990, played in 1,291 NHL regular season games in 18 seasons with Los Angeles, Dallas, Columbus, Tampa Bay, and Pittsburgh, before playing his final NHL seasons with the Blues.

Sydor is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, winning with Dallas and Ken Hitchcock in 1999 and Tampa Bay in 2004.

Berube and Wolves assistant Daniel Tkaczuk are expected to receive consideration for the remaining open spots on Yeo's staff after the Wolves moved on from the Blues and affiliated themselves with the expansion Vegas Golden Nights beginning next season with a five-year agreement.