Ian Laperriere (Credit: Philly Hockey Now)
The Flyers continue to make changes to their coaching staff, including replacing someone who has had a role with the organization for the past 16 years.
Multiple sources have told On Pattison that Ian Laperriere, who played for the Flyers in 2009-10, worked in player development, served as an assistant coach with the big club for nine seasons, and as the head coach of the Flyers top minor league affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for the past four seasons, will not return to the bench at the start of next season.
Laperriere, 51, has not been fired, although it is unclear what role he will have moving forward, although it seems like Flyers would like to keep him in some capacity.
Laperriere, signed a two-year contract with the organization last summer.
In four seasons as head coach of the Phantoms, Laperriere compiled a record of 134-120-38 and led the Phantoms to the playoffs three times. This past season they lost in the second round - their best finish since 2017-18.
Sources said the Flyers wanted a new voice for the Phantoms, and decided to go in a different direction.
That different direction is still to be determined, as sources indicated that the Flyers aren't ready to fill the spot just yet, needing to iron out a few other things before settling on a new AHL coach.
However there are a couple potential candidates for the job that may have peaked their interest - including Jay McKee, who has spent seven seasons as a head coach in the OHL, the last three with the Brantford (nee Hamilton) Bulldogs. McKee is a former teammate of Flyers GM Danny Briere from their days with the Buffalo Sabres.
McKee, 47, was interviewed during the Flyers search for a new head coach, before they gave the job to Rick Tocchet last week.
Another possibility is current Phantoms assistant coach John Snowden, who has impressed in his short time with the organization.
Snowden, 43, won a championship as head coach of the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL in 2018-19. He has spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach in the AHL - two with the Toronto Marlies and the last two with the Phantoms.
The Flyers also have to fill two assistant coach jobs at the NHL level.
One of the guys they wanted to keep was Brad Shaw, but Shaw chose to leave on his own last week and took a job as an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday.
