Ex-Flyers defenseman Nick Schultz will be an assistant on the new-look coaching staff in life after Ian Laperriere. (Photo: Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
The Philadelphia Flyers have officially promoted John Snowden to head coach of the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms, completing their offseason coaching staff shakeup.
Joining Snowden behind the bench in Allentown will be former Flyers defenseman Nick Schultz and Maine Mariners general manager and head coach Terrence Wallin.
After playing parts of three seasons with the Flyers in the NHL, Schultz, 42, has been with the organization since 2019-20 on the development staff.
Schultz served as a development coach from 2019-20 to 2022-23, then took over as assistant director of player development for the last two seasons. Now, the 15-year NHL veteran is getting a shot at a more hands-on approach to developing players.
Wallin, 33, jumps from the ECHL to the AHL after four seasons with the Mariners. In the 2021-22 season, when Wallin was cutting his teeth as an assistant coach, he worked alongside current Flyers GM Danny Briere, who was the president of the Mariners at the time.
As for Snowden, the 43-year-old didn't work with Briere, but did work against Briere's Mariners during his time with the Newfoundland Growlers and Orlando Solar Bears from 2017-18 to 2020-21.
Snowden gets the nod as the leader of the Phantoms' operation after spending the two previous seasons in Lehigh Valley as an assistant coach.
“We’re excited to have John along with Nick and Terrence lead the Phantoms,” Briere said in a press release Monday. “This is an important time for our organization with the young talent we have coming through the pipeline, and we believe this group has the right mix of experience, teaching ability, and leadership to guide our prospects. Their impact in Lehigh Valley will be a big part of our long-term success.”
Added Snowden: “I’m honored to be named the next head coach of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. I’d like to thank [Keith Jones], Danny, [Alyn McCauley] and Rob and Jim Brooks for this opportunity. It’s an exciting time to lead this group with the talent the Flyers have in their prospect pool. I look forward to building on the foundation that’s been laid and continuing to help our young players grow and succeed.”
Over the next several seasons, Snowden will be tasked with developing Flyers prospects such as Jett Luchanko, Jack Nesbitt, Oliver Bonk, Spencer Gill, Carson Bjarnason, Denver Barkey, and more, depending on which players make or fail to make the NHL roster.
