Peter Laviolette Hired, John Stevens Fired by Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers fired head coach John Stevens on Friday and hired Peter Laviolette to take over.

The move came less than 24 hours after the club was shut out for the second consecutive contest. Following Thursday’s 3-0 defeat against Vancouver at home, the Flyers have dropped six of their last seven games and are tied with the New York Rangers for last place in the Atlantic Division with a 13-11-1 record.

“I understand the life-expectancy in this business. If you win, the chances of your job lasting longer, is better. By doing this today, I certainly recognize I’m also putting my neck on the line as well,” said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren. “There are a lot of questions, directed at management, at development. I still believe we have a good team. Peter is a different voice, and with a couple tweaks here and there with a system, we’ll find out how good.”

Laviolette, a Massachusetts native, last coached with the Carolina Hurricanes from 2003-2008. He led the ‘Canes to a Stanley Cup Finals victory over Edmonton in 2006, the lone season he guided the team to a postseason berth. Prior to that, he was bench boss for the New York Islanders for two seasons (2001-03), taking the Isles to the playoffs both years.

“I know this was a very difficult decision for Paul to make. And, I really feel bad for John because he’s been a terrific long-time member of our organization,” said Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider. “I was hoping that the team would play better and that this could have been avoided, but after last night’s game, I think Paul felt he had to make this change. I make it a policy never to overrule my general manager, because once I do, it means I’ve lost confidence in him. I really want to wish John the best.”

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“John has always been a member of the Flyers family, and always will, and that’s why this was a very hard decision for us to make,” said Comcast-Spectacor President Peter A. Luukko. “He was drafted by the Flyers and literally grew up within our organization. He won a Calder Cup with the Phantoms, both as a player and as our coach. He then became an assistant coach of the Flyers and eventually our head coach. We wish him and his family nothing but the best.”

“This was a very difficult decision for me to make given my relationship with John. I want to thank him for his service to the Flyers organization over the years. However, in watching the team over the past few weeks I felt a new voice was needed in order to get us out of this and in the direction we expect,” said Holmgren. “Peter Laviolette brings experience along with a different approach to the game. We look forward to him putting his stamp on the team quickly and getting our team headed in the right direction.”

“Obviously this is a great opportunity. I am really excited,” said Laviolette. “The Flyers are an organization that has a lot of tradition and a lot of history. This is just an exciting time for me and my family and we are really looking forward to it.”