Former Flyers Coach Alain Vigneault Tells Hometown Newspaper He’s Retiring

Former Philadelphia Flyers coach Alain Vigneault has retired from coaching hockey, he told his hometown newspaper Journal de Quebec.

Vigneault, 62, coached the Philadelphia Flyers from 2019-22. He was fired 22 games into his final season. He replaced Scott Gordon and was replaced by Mike Yeo.

He was 74-54-19 in 147 games with the Flyers. In 2019-20, the pandemic-stricken season, the Flyers were 41-21-7 and the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Flyers won their first-round series over the Canadiens in six games, then lost in the second round to the Islanders in seven games.

The Flyers haven’t been to the playoffs in the three years since.

“When I signed my contract with the Flyers, I told those around me that it was my last [deal],” Vigneault told the Journal de Quebec. “There is nothing that made me change my mind.”

Vigneault coached 19 seasons with the Flyers, Rangers, Canucks and Canadiens. He was the NHL Coach of the Year in 2007. His career record is 722-489-117, with 35 ties in 1,363 games. His 722 wins are 10th-most of all-time.

The Flyers still are paying Vigneault — $5 million next season, according to CapFriendly.

“I just turned 62 and at the end of my contract I will be 63,” Vigneault said. “I think it’s time to enjoy life. I had a great career.

“Hockey has been good for me and my family. At some point, you have to have a little fun and I’m there in my life. I try to work on my golf [game], even if it doesn’t work.”