ST. LOUIS (AP) -Doug Armstrong, fired as the Dallas Stars general manager in November, was hired by the St. Louis Blues as their GM-in-waiting on Thursday.

The 43-year-old Armstrong was selected the vice president of player personnel and will become general manager in 2010. The Blues extended the contract of current GM Larry Pleau, whose wife is battling cancer, through 2009-10.

``Larry has been very valuable to this organization for many years,'' team president John Davidson said. ``Under his watch we have locked up our young players with long-term deals and continue to stockpile many up and coming prospects.''

Armstrong helped the Stars win two Pacific Division championships and qualify for the playoffs four times in six seasons. He had been with the Stars for 17 seasons and is a son of Hall of Fame linesman Neil Armstrong.

``To be able to add someone with Doug's resume and hockey IQ gives us yet another trained set of eyes,'' Davidson said.

The Stars had a 7-7 record and were coming off three straight first-round playoff exits when Armstrong was replaced by interim co-GMs Brett Hull and Les Jackson, and each got a three-year contract after the season. Dallas made its longest playoff run since 2000, losing to the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference finals.

Pleau has been the Blues' general manager since 1997, leading the franchise to an overall record of 387-333-100 and a Presidents' Trophy in 1999-2000.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.