St. Louis Blues
· 2026-07-09
St. Louis Blues have hired former NHL forward Joey Hishon as their new organizational skills coach, a move announced by GM Alexander Steen on July 9, 2026. Hishon will work directly with the NHL roster and development staff, bringing a personalized approach to skill refinement as the Blues chase a playoff spot.
The role focuses on daily habit building, mental preparation, and on‑ice technique for every player, from rookie to veteran. Hishon’s background as a private skills coach means he designs individualized drills that target shooting accuracy, puck handling under pressure, and defensive positioning. He will also coordinate with head coach Craig Berube’s staff to align his programs with the team’s tactical systems.
Hishon’s resume blends elite playing experience with early coaching success. Drafted 17th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2010, he logged four AHL seasons, a brief NHL stint, and overseas time in Russia and Sweden before retiring in 2018. He then helped the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack win a championship in 2010‑11 as an assistant coach and assistant GM, proving he can translate on‑ice insight into effective teaching.
Blues forwards like Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan O'Reilly could benefit from refined shooting drills, while younger players such as Noah Hanifin may see accelerated development in defensive reads. Hishon’s emphasis on routine—pre‑game visualization, post‑game video review, and off‑ice conditioning—matches the club’s recent push to tighten consistency, a factor that helped them climb to 9th in the Western Conference with a 37‑33 record and a four‑game winning streak.
The team heads into its next matchup against the Dallas Stars on September 19, 2026, with Hishon already integrating his first session plans. Steen expects the coach to be on the bench during practice and to provide real‑time feedback during games, especially on power‑play setups and penalty‑kill positioning. If the Blues can convert Hishon’s guidance into on‑ice results, the organization hopes to break into the top eight and secure a postseason berth.
Supporters can expect to notice sharper puck movement and more disciplined line changes in the coming weeks. Hishon’s influence may not show up on the scoreboard immediately, but subtle improvements in face‑off win percentages and reduced turnovers could become evident as the season progresses. The Blues’ front office believes that investing in player development now will pay dividends when the playoff race tightens later this year.