ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Blues have hired Mike Yeo as the successor-in-waiting for head coach Ken Hitchcock, who has declared that next season will be his last behind the bench before retiring.

General Manager Doug Armstrong announced Monday that Yeo will be an associate coach for one year under Hitchcock and take over the team for the 2017-18 season. The 64-year-old Hitchcock, who led the Blues to the Western Conference finals this season, will enter his sixth year with St. Louis and his 20th as an NHL head coach.

“I feel really confident that the team and the franchise is going to be in great shape with Mike at the helm,” Hitchcock said.

Yeo was fired Feb. 13 by the Central Division rival Minnesota Wild after compiling a 173-132-44 record over five seasons. Under Yeo, the Wild made three trips to the playoffs, including a first-round victory over the Blues last year.

The Wild, who rallied to return to the postseason under interim coach John Torchetti, were mired in a 3-12-4 slide when the 42-year-old Yeo was let go.

SHARKS: Longtime forwards Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau indicated they would like to remain with San Jose following the organization’s first-ever run to the Stanley Cup Final.

Both players are signed through next season but have the option to waive no-movement clauses, allowing the Sharks to pursue a trade.

“I’ve got one more year left,” Thornton said. “I haven’t thought about that at all, to be honest.”

Thornton, a one-time Bruins first-rounder who turns 37 next month, said he would take a few weeks off and then “get back to it.” He is scheduled to play for Canada in the World Cup of Hockey in September.

HOWE FUNERAL: The Detroit Red Wings and the family of hockey legend Gordie Howe are encouraging fans to attend a public visitation Tuesday at Joe Louis Arena.

The Howe family will greet the public at the arena. Gordie Howe’s body will lie in state inside the arena bowl.