from Mike Brophy at CBC,

Colton Parayko's potential is limitless.

So says his coach, Ken Hitchcock, who knows a thing or two about developing a stud on the blue-line.

When Hitchcock led the Dallas Stars to the Stanley Cup in the 1998-99 season, he had 6-foot-5, 225-pound Derien Hatcher leading the charge. As a member of Canada's coaching staff at various international competitions Hitchcock had 6-foot-6, 220-pound Chris Pronger at his disposal. Now, as Hitchcock prepares for retirement in his final season as coach of the St. Louis Blues, he is charged with helping Parayko take his game to the next level.

The 6-foot-5, 226-pound St. Albert, Alta., native was an impact performer with the Blues last season as a rookie, scoring nine goals and 33 points. Not bad for a guy who was passed over in the 2011 NHL draft, only to be picked in the third round (86th) in 2012.

"He hasn't hit his stride offensively yet," Hitchcock said. "He hasn't had the offensive numbers we think he is going to get to, but quite frankly neither have we as a team. We have done it with checking and defence and he's been at the forefront of that. But from a complete player side of things he has had a great start. From his ability to defend to exit pucks to play against top players, he has had a great start."

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