Steen joins Blues hockey ops staff

Alexander Steen will soon be returning to the St. Louis Blues organization.

Steen, who is taking a job as a European Player Development Consultant, will be back in town for the team's annual Prospect Camp, which runs from July 1-4 at Centene Community Ice Center.

In his new role within General Manager Doug Armstrong's hockey operations department, Steen will work to develop the Blues' European prospects while also returning to St. Louis to assist with the team's development camps. In some ways, that part of the gig is a lot like the old one - on the ice, firing pucks, delivering passes and making others better while teaching respect for the Blue Note and its history.

"I've missed it, for sure. This is going to be fun," said Steen, who was speaking to stlouisblues.com from his home in Sundsvall, Sweden. "I still follow the team pretty closely, so I already know the prospects we've got - I just haven't met them yet. It will be fun getting to know them on a personal level and begin working with them."

Steen retired from hockey due to herniated discs in his back in December 2020. He played 12 seasons with the Blues, recording 496 points (195 goals, 301 assists) in 765 regular-season games. He finished his Blues career ranking fourth all-time in regular-season games played and sixth in points and is one of only four players in Blues history to record more than 190 goals and 300 assists, joining Brian Sutter, Bernie Federko and Brett Hull.

Since retirement, Steen has never strayed far from the game. He regularly works with a local third-tier hockey team in Sundsvall, where he helps with strategy, development and even finding the club more ice time. In addition, he has also done some consulting and scouting work for Sweden's World Junior team, which he hopes to continue in a larger capacity next season.

Now he's excited to be back with the Blues - an organization he helped to its first Stanley Cup championship in 2019.

"I've watched some of the Blues' games live over the last few years, and some of the games I watch in the morning when I wake up," Steen said. "I stay in touch with what's going on, and obviously I'm really close with a lot of people around the organization and the players on the team - we talk on the phone every once and awhile. And I've kept in touch with Army, too.

"Physically I might be far away, but I have a close relationship with St. Louis," he added. "I've been feeling lately that I'd really like to be part of the club again. I've just loved it, and I've loved the city. I felt it would be great to get back contributing in some way again and that's what I'm planning to do."