Armstrong Steps Down, Focuses on Family

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Doug Armstrong, the 61-year-old hockey executive, is wrapping up two big roles.

He's stepping down as General Manager for Team Canada after they took silver at the Olympics

and Milan last month.

He's also leaving his General Manager spot with the St. Louis Blues on July 1, handing it

over to Alexander Steen.

After this week at the NHL General Manager meetings, Armstrong explained he's aged

out of the Team Canada job.

The pressure was intense, and it took too much time away from his wife, Kelly.

He plans to focus more on family now and won't interfere with picking his successor, though

he's open to advice calls if asked.

Meanwhile, the Blues are in rebuild mode after trading Captain Braden Shen to the New York

Islanders and defensemen, Justin Falk, to the Detroit Red.

Wings back on March 6th.

They were well out of playoff contention then, and Armstrong met with players to smooth

the transition to Steen as the new leader.

Armstrong will stick around as president of hockey operations with a three-year deal.

He'll lead the team through the 2026 NHL draft, where they have three first round picks.

Steen and Scouting Director Tony Feltren will have big input, but Armstrong makes the

final calls.

Looking ahead, Armstrong reflected on his long career, including a Stanley Cup win with

the Blues in 2019.

He sees executives as temporary players in the game, but values the camaraderie among

the 32 GMs.

For now, his priority is supporting Steen, the team, and paying back time to his family.

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