
Blues Re-Sign F Matt Luff, G Vadim Zherenko, and D Hunter Skinner
July 7, 2025 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Thunderbirds News Release
ST. LOUIS, MO - St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today the Blues have signed forward Matt Luff ($775,000 NHL / $400,000 AHL), goaltender Vadim Zherenko ($775,000 NHL / $125,000 AHL), and defenseman Hunter Skinner ($775,000 NHL / $125,000 AHL) to one-year, two-way contracts.
Luff, 28, dressed in 50 regular-season games with the Blues' AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, last season, posting 45 points (18 goals, 27 assists) and 42 penalty minutes. He also collected four points (two goals, two assists) in six regular-season games with the Charlotte Checkers. Overall, the Oakville, Ontario, native has totaled 212 points (87 goals, 125 assists) and 176 penalty minutes in 279 career AHL regular-season games, as well as 27 points (15 goals, 12 assists) and 20 penalty minutes in 106 career NHL regular-season appearances.
Zherenko, 24, dressed in 32 games for the Thunderbirds last season, posting a record of 12-17-3 with one shutout, a 3.44 goals-against average, and .897 save percentage. Over his three professional seasons in Springfield, the Moscow, Russia native has posted 34 wins, a 3.37 goals-against average, and a .904 save percentage. He was originally a seventh-round pick by the Blues in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Skinner, 24, appeared in 71 regular-season games with the Thunderbirds last season, recording 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) and 98 penalty minutes. Overall, the Wyandotte, Michigan, native has amassed 56 points (16 goals, 40 assists) and 249 penalty minutes in 203 career AHL regular-season games. Skinner was originally acquired by the Blues via trade from the New York Rangers on February 9, 2023.
The full 2025-26 Thunderbirds schedule will be revealed in the coming weeks. Fans can lock in their seats today with a T-Birds Ticket Membership, starting as low as $17.75 per seat per game. Call (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com for more information.
American Hockey League Stories from July 7, 2025
- Forward Neil Shea Returns on One-Year AHL Contract - Colorado Eagles
- Marlies Sign Goaltender Ken Appleby and Forwards Reese Johnson and Marc Johnstone - Toronto Marlies
- Joel Bouchard Named Syracuse Crunch General Manager - Syracuse Crunch
- Senators Sign Forward Jamieson Rees to One-Year American Hockey League Contract Extension - Belleville Senators
- Dallas Stars Appoint Toby Petersen as Texas Stars Head Coach - Texas Stars
- IceHogs Bring in Three on AHL Deals - Rockford IceHogs
- Blues Re-Sign F Matt Luff, G Vadim Zherenko, and D Hunter Skinner - Springfield Thunderbirds
- "I Got to Go, It's Been a Pleasure Doing Business with You" - Charlotte Checkers
- Bridgeport Islanders Sign Parker Gahagen - Bridgeport Islanders
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Other Recent Springfield Thunderbirds Stories
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- Blues Re-Sign F Matt Luff, G Vadim Zherenko, and D Hunter Skinner
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