On Saturday December 10th, former St. Louis Jr. Blues head coach Jack Behan was in attendance for the Jr. Blues matchup versus the club’s longtime rival Peoria Mustangs. For Behan that day began an ordinary day going to the rink as a spectator since retiring after a Tier III Jr. A National Championship in 2010. Little did Behan know he was in for a big surprise? Prior to the game, Behan entered a room with former Assistant coach Frank “Doc” Runco, former General Managers Jim Jost Jr. and Frank Steckler, and several members of his family and friends. Upon entering the room, Behan had a surprised look on his face and said, “What is going on?” Jim Jost quickly replied with a joke saying it was an “Intervention.” After the room stopped laughing, “Doc” began reading a letter addressed to Behan. The letter came from the St. Louis Amateur Hockey Hall of Fame announcing Behan will become member of its prestigious group.
During Behan’s tenure with the Jr. Blues that began in 1998 he guided his teams to over 500 Wins, Four consecutive Jr. B National Championships, One Tier III Jr. A National Championship, One Jr. B National Championship Runner-Up, and several league and playoff championships. Prior to coaching the Jr. Blues, Behan won back to back State Championships at Parkway South High School and coached several youth teams, and all-star teams.
More importantly than the wins and championships, Behan has watched several of his players advance to higher levels of hockey. Players from the “Behan Era” have gone on to play Tier I and II Junior hockey, College Club hockey, NCAA Division I and III hockey, minor professional hockey, and the National Hockey League. NHL players Yan and Paul Stastny, Joe Vitale, and Chris Butler started their junior careers playing for Behan. Player advancement is the #1 priority and goal for the St. Louis Jr. Blues program and that is what Behan did, prepare his players for the “Next Level.”
The St. Louis Jr. Blues would like to congratulate Jack Behan on this accomplishment and his dedication to coaching young hockey players.
