Ken Hitchcock closed the book on his five-plus seasons behind the St. Louis Blues' bench Monday, showing appreciation for those he worked and crossed paths with during his tenure in a letter.

Hitchcock recognized chairman Tom Stillman, as well as the many coaches that worked on his staff throughout the years. He also thanked the athletes he coached, wished luck to his successor, Mike Yeo, and ended with a message to Blues fans.

To the St. Louis Blues fans, I want to thank you for your unwavering support. I have received countless notes of appreciation over the last few days and it truly means the world to me. St. Louis is an amazing sports town with some of the most knowledgeable fans in the world. I am eternally grateful to have been part of the Blues organization and to have made St. Louis my home over the last six years. The friendships I've developed and the memories I have made here will last me a lifetime.

You can read the entire letter here, via the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

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