Martin St. Louis joins Blue Jackets as special teams consultant

Former-Tampa-Bay-Lightning-right-winger-Martin-St.-Louis-waves-as-he-walks-by-some-of-his-awards-during-a-jersey-retirement-ceremony-before-an-NHL-hockey-game-between-the-Lightning-and-the-Columbus-Blue-Jackets-on-Friday,-Jan.-13,-2017,-in-Tampa,-Fla.-(Chris-O'Meara/AP)

Former Tampa Bay Lightning right-winger Martin St. Louis waves as he walks by some of his awards during a jersey retirement ceremony before an NHL hockey game between the Lightning and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday, Jan. 13, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. (Chris O'Meara/AP)

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced Monday that Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Martin St. Louis has joined the club as a special teams consultant.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018, St. Louis was a six-time all-star who boasts an impressive resume.

He won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player in 2003-04, the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s top scorer twice in 2003-04 and 2012-13, the Ted Lindsay Award in 2003-04, the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy three times in 2009-10, 2010-11, and 2012-13, and he led the Tampa Bay Lightning to the 2004 Stanley Cup championship.

“Marty St. Louis made himself into a Hall of Fame player through sheer determination, hard work and a great understanding of how to play the game the right way,” said Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella, who coached St. Louis in Tampa Bay from 2000-08.

“We’re still developing his role, but he has so much knowledge about our game and what it takes to be successful, both individually and within the team concept, that he’ll be a great asset to our players.”

St. Louis registered 391 goals, 642 assists and 1,033 points in 1,134 games over his 17-year career as a member of the Calgary Flames, Lightning, and New York Rangers. He also racked up 101 power-play and 29 shorthanded goals on special teams over his career.

“It is a tremendous honour to have the opportunity to work with the Columbus Blue Jackets,” said St. Louis. “I truly love the game. I have been coaching my boys since my retirement, so I am excited to share my knowledge while still being able to coach my kids. I’m looking forward to working with the coaching staff and players in Columbus.”

The Blue Jackets’ power play has struggled this season. They rank 27th overall with the man-advantage, converting on just 14.6 per cent of their opportunities. The team’s penalty kill has been better, ranking ninth league-wide.

Despite their struggles on the power play, Columbus (28-17-3) currently sits second place in the Metropolitan Division, three points back of the surprising New York Islanders.

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