Keith Tkachuk returns to St. Louis after spending just three months in an Atlanta Thrashers uniform.

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced today the team has signed center Keith Tkachuk.

“We are excited to be able to bring a player of Keith’s caliber back to the St. Louis Blues,” said Davidson. “Keith played great hockey under Head Coach Andy Murray last season and we are thrilled to have him wearing the Bluenote again.”

The Blues traded Tkachuk to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for a first round draft choice in 2007, a third round draft choice in 2007, a second round draft choice in 2008 and forward Glen Metropolit on Feb. 25, 2007.

Tkachuk, 35, had 43 points (20 goals, 23 assists) in 61 games with the Blues at the time of the trade. He ranked second on the club in goals and points, while leading the club with eight power-play goals and 92 penalty minutes before being sent to the Thrashers. He finished last season with 58 points (27 goals, 31 assists) and reached the 50-point plateau for the 12th time in 15 seasons.

The 6-2, 225-pound center has twice been named to the NHL Second All-Star Team (1995 and 1998) and played in the NHL All-Star Game four times (1997, 1998, 1999 and 2004). Tkachuk is 27 goals shy of reaching the 500 goal mark and needs 24 games to reach 1,000. He has amassed 926 career points (473 goals, 453 assists) and 2,033 penalty minutes in 976 NHL games with Winnipeg, Phoenix, St. Louis and Atlanta.

The Medford, Massachusetts native has represented the United States in six different international competitions, including the 1992, 1998, 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympic Games, winning a silver medal in 2002. He also played in the 1996 and 2004 World Cup of Hockey, helping the United States win the championship in 1996.

Tkachuk was originally selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the first round, 19th overall, in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.