Hitchcock Looks For New Start As Blue Jackets Extend Coaching Contract

Columbus, OH (AHN) - Ken Hitchcock inked a three-year contract that will extend his stay in the sidelines through the 2011-12 season, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced Wednesday.

The 56-year-old Hitchcock wrapped up his second season as the team's mentor in the 2007-08 campaign, steering the Blue Jackets to a 34-36-12 record. He first arrived in Columbus in 2006 and helped the club win 28 of the remaining 62 games that season.

"Signing Ken Hitchcock to this contract extension is another important step for the Columbus Blue Jackets as Ken is at or near the top of anyone's list when it comes to NHL coaches," general manager Scott Howson said on the Blue Jackets Web site.

"He has brought credibility, presence and structure to our team and is an integral part of the Blue Jackets' identity," Howson added. "We are pleased to have stability for at least the next four years at the head coaching position."

The Blue Jackets, whose 80 points last season were a franchise-best, have infused six new faces to key in Hitchcock's stronger roster for next season.

At the start of the free agent signing period, they have already added defensemen Mike Commodore, Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman plus wingers R.J. Umberger, Kristian Huselius and Raffi Torres.

"The team has change dramatically, and it's the change that most people on the outside can't see," Hitchcock told NHL.com. "The culture inside the locker room changed dramatically. We added professional players who are committed to the team and are people who have competed at a very high level in North America and internationally. These players know what it's like to be on winning teams. There is a certain level of seriousness that your team has to have in order to win."

The 56-year-old coach is raring to regain his place atop the game after a long drought in the Stanley Cup stage. After winning the Cup with Dallas in 1999, his postseason record has dropped to two second-round exits and departures in the first round, the conference finals and the championship finals.

"Since the start of my career in 1984 I have walked into situations where the team was either ready made or close to ready made, so I was fortunate," he said. "This is the first time I have seen something like this, and I wanted the challenge."

"I want to be the coach that takes a team to the championship level," Hitchcock added. "I want to be in the building of things from the ground floor up. Both Scott and I wanted that challenge and we're looking forward to taking the next step here."