Mike Keenan
The intense coach and GM whose brief Blues tenure was defined by conflict with star players.
Mike Keenan served as coach and general manager of the St. Louis Blues from 1994 to 1996. His tenure was marked by conflict with team stars, most notably Brett Hull. Keenan stripped Hull of his captaincy after a dispute over a missed team meeting or practice. Keenan later criticized Hull's play as not being a team player after being let go from the Blues.
- Role
- Head Coach / General Manager
- Era
- Mid-1990s
Lore & Background
Keenan's time in St. Louis was short but volatile. He served as both head coach and general manager from 1994 to 1996. His relationship with Brett Hull deteriorated rapidly. In one widely reported incident, Keenan stripped Hull of his captaincy after a dispute over a missed team meeting or practice. Another time, defenceman Grant Ledyard had to take time away to be with his wife due to her having a lump in her breast. According to Ledyard's account, when he returned to call about her having a clean bill of health, Keenan (who disliked Ledyard) had spread word that Ledyard had quit on the team.
In Their Own Story
The air inside The Aud was thick with tension. Dale Hawerchuk's dying grandmother had made the trip from nearby Fort Erie to see him play one last time. But Keenan deliberately benched Hawerchuk for the game. Brett Hull, the team captain, screamed at Keenan on the bench. Keenan responded by stripping Hull of his captaincy. The relationship never recovered. Keenan later blasted Hull's play as not being a team player after being let go from the Blues.
Reader's Guide
Mike Keenan's tenure with the St. Louis Blues lasted from 1994 to 1996, during which he served as both head coach and general manager. His time was defined by conflict with star players rather than on-ice success. Keenan was even willing to publicly criticize Wayne Gretzky after he acquired the superstar in an early 1996 trade with the Los Angeles Kings. Keenan had previously coached Gretzky in Canada Cup play, and his refusal to moderate his attitude and style even when coaching a team full of stars meant his relationship with the league's all-time leading scorer was never particularly warm. Gretzky refused to consider re-signing with St. Louis during the 1996 off-season and opted instead to finish his playing career with Keenan's former team, the Rangers.
Did You Know?
- Keenan stripped Brett Hull of his captaincy after a dispute over a missed team meeting or practice.
- According to defenceman Grant Ledyard, after he took time away for his wife's breast lump and returned with a clean bill of health, Keenan spread word that Ledyard had quit on the team.
- Keenan served as both head coach and general manager of the Blues from 1994 to 1996.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mike Keenan in relation to the St. Louis Blues?
Mike Keenan served as both head coach and general manager for the team from 1994 to 1996.
What were the main conflicts during his tenure with the Blues?
His time in St. Louis was defined by intense friction with star players, most notably a public falling out with captain Brett Hull.
Why did Mike Keenan strip Brett Hull of his captaincy?
He removed the leadership role following a heated confrontation and disputes over Hull's commitment to team play during games at The Arena.
How does Mike Keenan's story end in St. Louis?
His tenure concluded abruptly after he was fired, with him subsequently criticizing former stars for not being true team players.
Why is Mike Keenan considered important to Blues history?
He remains a memorable figure due to his intense management style and the dramatic clashes that marked his brief but turbulent era in the franchise.
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