Kevin Cheveldayoff Takes Over as NHL’s Longest-Tenured GM Following Armstrong’s Exit

With Doug Armstrong officially stepping down as general manager of the St. Louis Blues, the title of the NHL’s longest-tenured general manager now belongs to Kevin Cheveldayoff of the Winnipeg Jets. Cheveldayoff, who has held the reins since the Jets’ modern era began, has navigated the franchise through a transformative period since its relocation from Atlanta.

Armstrong’s departure marks the end of an era that began on July 1, with former Blues forward Alexander Steen stepping in as the new general manager. Armstrong will remain with the organization as president of hockey operations until 2029. His tenure in St. Louis was highlighted by the Blues’ first Stanley Cup championship in 2019, establishing a legacy that will now give way to a new chapter for the franchise.

Cheveldayoff has been at the helm of the Jets since June 8, 2011, and remains the only general manager the franchise has known during its second incarnation. Over his 15-year tenure, he has cultivated a team that has become a consistent playoff contender. The Jets boast a regular season record of 610-438-111 since he took charge, ranking 11th in the NHL during that span, while tying with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the 10th-best team defense with a 2.80 goals-against average per game.

In terms of offense, the Jets have averaged 2.96 goals per game, placing them 13th in the league. This balance reflects Cheveldayoff’s commitment to building a structured defensive team while gradually enhancing their offensive capabilities.

Key to this success has been Cheveldayoff’s eye for talent, having drafted players like Mark Scheifele, Adam Lowry, and Connor Hellebuyck, who have all become integral to the team’s core. What sets Cheveldayoff apart from many of his peers is his ability to foster a culture that encourages players to commit long-term to Winnipeg, despite the challenges of being in a smaller Canadian market.

Under his leadership, the Jets achieved a historic milestone by advancing to the Western Conference Final for the first time in franchise history in 2018 and capturing the Presidents’ Trophy in the 2024-25 season with an impressive 56-win campaign. This sustained success has allowed the Jets to qualify for the playoffs in seven of the last nine seasons, solidifying their reputation as a perennial contender.

Now, with Armstrong’s departure, Cheveldayoff finds himself as the NHL’s longest-tenured general manager. This milestone reflects not only his successful track record but also the confidence that True North Sports and Entertainment has placed in him. As Cheveldayoff embarks on the next chapter of his career, the question remains whether he can deliver the one trophy that has so far eluded him and the Jets—a Stanley Cup, which would be the crowning achievement of an already remarkable tenure leading one of the NHL’s most passionately supported franchises.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.