Blues hire Sergei Zubov as advisor to hockey operations

The St. Louis Blues hired Sergei Zubov as an advisor to hockey operations, general manager Alexander Steen announced Friday.

Zubov, 56, brings a varied resume that includes head coaching positions with three KHL clubs and previous NHL front office experience. He served as head coach of SKA Saint Petersburg (2015-16), HK Sochi (2017-19, 2024-25), and Dinamo Riga (2021) in the KHL, and also coached Russia's U-20 team in 2021-22. Before those head coaching roles, he worked as an assistant coach for multiple KHL teams from 2011 to 2015.

"We are excited to bring in Sergei with the incredible resume he built over his Hall of Fame career as a player," Steen said in a statement. "As a coach he brings a unique skillset and experience that will be a valuable asset throughout our hockey operations group."

Zubov previously worked in the NHL as a team consultant with the Blues in 2012-13 and as senior consultant to hockey operations for the Dallas Stars in 2019. He finished his playing career in 2010 after 16 NHL seasons, winning the Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994 and the Dallas Stars in 1999.

The hire is part of a broader front office reshuffling in St. Louis. Steen took over as the Blues' 12th general manager on June 30, replacing Doug Armstrong, who moved solely into the role of president of hockey operations after 16 years as GM. The Blues also recently promoted Hall of Famer Keith Tkachuk to advisor to the president of hockey operations and named Chris Thorburn director of player development.

St. Louis missed the playoffs last season, finishing four points out of a wild card spot with a 37-33-12 record.