Jarmo Kekalainen will continue to serve as the Director of Amateur Scouting through the 2010 NHL Draft. (Getty Images).

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced Monday that Assistant General Manager and Director of Amateur Scouting Jarmo Kekalainen has resigned to take the role of General Manager of the Jokerit Hockey Club in his native Finland, effective June 30th.

“I would like to thank Jarmo for all of his time and hard work as he traveled the globe to find the best possible players for the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club,” said Davidson. “I wish him and his wife Tiina nothing but the best in this new endeavor.”

“I would like to thank the St. Louis Blues organization for allowing me this opportunity with Jokerit,” said Kekalainen. “I am 100 percent committed and focused on selecting the best possible prospects for the Blues in this upcoming NHL Draft.”

Kekalainen has served as the Blues Director of Amateur Scouting since Sept. 2002. During his tenure, the Blues have drafted players like David Backes, Erik Johnson, David Perron, T.J. Oshie, Patrik Berglund and Alex Pietrangelo.