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Peoria Rivermen

Steve Pleau Named Rivermen Associate Head Coach

June 16, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


Peoria, Ill. (June 16, 2005) - St. Louis Blues Senior Vice President & General Manager Larry Pleau today announced that the club has named Steve Pleau as associate head coach of the American Hockey League's Peoria Rivermen, the club's top minor league affiliate. Steve Pleau most recently served as the assistant coach with the AHL's Worcester IceCats, prior to the team moving to Peoria.

"Given his past role as a member the coaching staff in Worcester, it seemed like a natural choice to ask Steve to replace Don Granato while he undergoes his recovery from cancer," said Larry Pleau. "Steve stepped in at several points last season on an interim basis and proved that he could lead this team and coach successfully at the AHL level. His existing relationships with the players and familiarity within our system will reap benefits as we undergo our transition to Peoria."

Steve Pleau, 31, was forced from the ice due to injury in the midst of a successful collegiate career at the University of New Hampshire but quickly turned his attention to coaching and became a graduate assistant coach at UNH. After one season with the Wildcats he was named an assistant coach by USA Hockey for the U.S. National Under-18 Team, based in Ann Arbor, Mich.

"Obviously Don's health issues have made for an unfortunate situation, but he has played an integral role in preparing me for this type of challenge and I look forward to accepting it," said Steve Pleau. "On a personal level, it is a tremendous opportunity for me and my family, and I am looking ahead to next season with high goals for our fans and the utmost confidence in our team. It's exciting to be a part of the hockey tradition in Peoria, and it will be a pleasure to work under the leadership of our outstanding new owners and Bart Rogers."

Based on his experience developing young talent the Blues later hired him as the assistant coach with the Worcester IceCats prior to the start of the 1998-99 campaign. Since then Steve Pleau has fostered the growth of St. Louis prospects through on-ice development, conditioning, video breakdown, opponent pre-scouting and player evaluation. During IceCats games he also handled the defensive side of the bench and throughout the summers he oversaw the conditioning program of future Blues. He continues to stay active with USA Hockey.

Steve and his wife, Sherry, are the parents of one daughter: Lily.

The Rivermen, proud primary affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, are a member of the American Hockey League, which serves as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. The AHL had more than 7 million fans attend games across North America during the 2004-2005 season.

The Rivermen begin play in the 2005-2006 AHL season in October at Carver Arena at the Peoria Civic Center in Downtown Peoria, Ill. Season ticket purchases may be made and further information may be received by calling or e-mailing Director of Ticket Operations Jim Small at (309) 676-1040 x106 or tickets@rivermen.net.

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