Ken Hitchcock took over a fledgling St. Louis Blues team in early November of 2011and began to turn the team immediately. Under Hitchcock, the Blues went an amazing 43-15-11 and came within two points of winning the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's best team.
For his efforts, Ken Hitchcock received the Jack Adams Award, presented to the NHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success. Hitchcock edged out fellow nominees Paul MacLean of the Ottawa Senators and John Tortorella of the New York Rangers to take home the award for the first time in his career.