Flyers Moving on From Three Assistant Coaches

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere announced that the team will be moving forward without assistant coaches Rocky Thompson, Darryl Williams, and assistant/skills coach Angelo Ricci on Wednesday afternoon.

Ricci joined the Flyers in 2019 as a skills coach, hired by Alain Vigneault. He later became an assistant.

Williams joined the Flyers back in 2021, joining Vigneault’s staff.

Thompson has been a part of the organization since the 2022/23 season, when he joined John Tortorella’s staff.

All three assistants remained with the Flyers until this season.

Briere released a statement following the announcement, saying, “I would like to thank Darryl, Rocky, and Angelo for their dedication and all of their efforts over the last several years to the Flyers organization. After Careful evaluation, I felt that this was best for the future direction of the team.”

There was no mention of other coaches, such as Brad Shaw and Kim Dillabaugh, in the release.

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Flyers Cleaning House

This is the first significant staff move made since Briere made the decision to dismiss head coach John Tortorella late in March.

Most significant of the bunch is the firing of Rocky Thompson. Thompson coached the Flyers’ power play that could never seem to turn things around, consistently sitting in the league’s basement under Thompson’s control.

It seems to be a clear direction pointer for the Flyers. The power play had been horrific under Thompson. There has been plenty of talent, but it all boiled down to the structure. The move indicates that Briere is not messing around when it comes to doing what it takes to improve this team.

Ricci was the longest tenured of the three coaches. He began his tenure in Philadelphia as the skills coach, but eventually earned the assistant coach title and a spot on the bench. He, along with Williams, survived Vigneault’s departure. However, they were unable to do it for a second time.

Their replacements will likely be decided by whoever the next head coach may be. That decision, along with the assistants, will likely come closer to June.

Read More: Flyers Coaching Search: Briere Talks Qualities, Timeline, and Who Could be in the Running

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