Flyers Part Ways With 3 Assistant Coaches In Significant Staff Shake-Up

Change often comes quietly in the NHL, slipping in during the spring thaw, before the draft boards are drawn and free agency whispers turn to roars.

But on Wednesday, the Philadelphia Flyers made their latest move in reshaping the future—officially announcing that assistant coaches Rocky Thompson and Daryl Williams, along with assistant/skills coach Angelo Ricci, will not be returning behind the bench.

The departures mark a continued evolution under General Manager Danny Brière, who has been methodically recalibrating the franchise since stepping into the driver’s seat.

“I would like to thank Darryl, Rocky, and Angelo for their dedication and all of their efforts over the last several years to the Flyers organization,” Brière said in a statement. “After careful evaluation, I felt that this was best for the future direction of the team.”

It’s never easy to say goodbye to members of a staff who’ve invested countless hours behind the scenes, but it's clear that the winds in Philadelphia are shifting.

As of publication, interim head coach Brad Shaw remains with the organization, along with goaltending coach Kim Dillabaugh.

Shaw, elevated after John Tortorella was let go in March, remains a potential candidate for the head coaching position—though Brière and the Flyers are still in the process of evaluating long-term fits for that role.

It was communicated that whoever became the permanent head coach—whether that be Shaw or an outside candidate—would bring in their own coaching staff.

This latest move signals a deeper philosophical pivot. With a promising core beginning to emerge, there’s a clear desire to recalibrate not just the roster, but the culture and instruction that shapes it.

The Flyers are not just changing names. They are changing tone. Identity. Vision.

For now, the bench feels a little emptier. The voices a little quieter. But this, like all transitions, is a prelude to something else. A necessary step in becoming who they want to be.

The Flyers’ next coaching hires will reveal just as much about their future as any draft pick or free agent signing. And in Philadelphia, where the roots of the team run deep and patience is always a currency, the next era is being built one choice at a time.