SPORTS-Flyers president Holmgren steps down, becomes adviser


Reuters | Philadelphia | Updated: 13-07-2019 00:59 IST | Created: 12-07-2019 23:19 IST
SPORTS-Flyers president Holmgren steps down, becomes adviser
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Paul Holmgren announced that he has stepped down as president of the Philadelphia Flyers and will become a senior adviser for the club. In a related moved, general manager Chuck Fletcher becomes president of hockey operations and will report directly to Comcast Spectacor chairman and CEO Dave Scott.

"I love the Flyers and I want the Flyers to do well," Holmgren said Thursday on a conference call. In 40-plus years with the Flyers organization, Holmgren, 63, served as team president, general manager, assistant general manager, head coach, director of pro scouting and a player. He totaled 323 points (144 goals, 179 assists) in 527 games during a 10-year NHL career, which began in 1975 with the Flyers (1975-84) and included his two final seasons (1983-85) with the Minnesota North Stars.

"It's been an honor to serve this franchise in many different roles throughout my life and I look forward to this next chapter," Holmgren said in a release by the club. "I approached Dave about my idea to step aside to spend more time with my family. I have complete confidence in Chuck in his new role, leading the Flyers to great things. "The Flyers have given so much to me and my family over the years, and I have forged life-long friendships with the many players, coaches, employees, and fans who have helped me make Philadelphia home for over 40 years. I would like to thank Dave and Chuck for their efforts to lead this franchise into a bright future and for their continued confidence in me as I take on this new role."

Fletcher, previously a general manager for the Minnesota Wild, was hired in December to replace Ron Hextall, who was fired on Nov. 26. Fletcher, 52, has worked with NHL teams for 25 years and before joining the Flyers served as a senior adviser with the New Jersey Devils. He was the GM of the Minnesota Wild from 2009-18, but his contract was not renewed in that spring.

While he was in Minnesota, the Wild compiled a 399-298-89 record and qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs in each of his last six seasons. During the conference call, Scott said, "Paul and I have been around six years plus now, we've watched a lot of hockey games together. I think the one thing Paul has really taught me is patience. The game, it's line by line, period by period, game by game - it's a long season and you've really got to have that perspective because things can shift on a dime."

 

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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