Blues promote Steve Ott, add Claude Julien to coaching staff

Some movement behind the bench for one of the league’s longest-standing franchises.

On Thursday, the St. Louis Blues revealed they have promoted Steve Ott to associate coach, while the team has added former NHL head coach Claude Julien as an assistant coach.

General manager Doug Armstrong announced that Ott’s contract has been extended through the 2025-26 season. Julien’s deal will also take course over the next two seasons.

Ott will be heading into his eighth season behind the bench in St. Louis. The Prince Edward Island native has been part of the team’s coaching staff since 2017, having worked under Mike Yeo, Craig Berube and current head coach Drew Bannister. Ott was behind the bench when the Blues won the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in 2019.

The 41-year-old played 14 seasons in the NHL, spending time with the Dallas Stars, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens, playing close to two seasons with the Blues. In 848 games, Ott scored 109 goals and 288 points, racking up 1,555 penalty minutes.

Julien is bringing a load of experience to the bench. The Blind River, Ontario native began coaching in the pro ranks in 2000 with the American Hockey League’s Hamilton Bulldogs, and was promoted to the head job with the Montreal Canadiens during the 2002-03 season. He spent the next 18 seasons in the NHL, making stops with the New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins before returning to the Habs in the 2016-17 campaign. He last coached during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, where he was let go in the middle of the season.

Julien’s biggest accomplishment came with the Bruins in 2011, where he guided the franchise to its latest Stanley Cup. With Boston, he registered a career-record 419 regular-season wins, along with another 57 coming in the playoffs. Julien also won the Jack Adams Award in 2009.

Assistant coach Mike Weber and goaltending coach David Alexander’s contracts have been extended through 2025-26 as well.