Former AHL Coach to Join Flyers Front Office

Lehigh Valley Phantoms head coach Ian Laperrière is set to join the Philadelphia Flyers front office.

Laperrière spent four seasons as the Phantoms’ head coach. He will now rejoin the NHL club as an advisor to Hockey Operations, and will report to Briere and President of Hockey Operations, Keith Jones.

Laperrière has been with the Flyers organization since 2012. He started as the Director of Player Development. Just a year later, he became an assistant coach, a role Laperrière held until 2021.

In 2021, Laperrière was named the new head coach of the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Phantoms, and coached there for four years. Now, Laperrière will return to Philadelphia, but not behind the bench. Rather, he will be joining the front office.

Flyers Release a Statement

Following the move, GM Danny Briere issued a statement regarding the move.

“I want to thank Ian for his tireless work in Lehigh Valley for the last four seasons. He not only led the Phantoms in a return to the playoffs, but provided crucial development to several of our prospects. I am excited to welcome him back to the Flyers so he can continue to provide his insight in helping our team as we enter the next phase of the rebuild.”

In four seasons with the Phantoms, Laperrière went 134-120-13. The Phantoms made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons under Laperrière’s coaching. Now, he is set to join the Flyers and become a part of the next phase. The Phantoms will now begin their quest for a new head coach.