After amicably parting with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last week, former Phantoms head coach Ian Laperriere has joined the Flyers as an advisor to Hockey Operations.
The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that Ian Laperriere will rejoin the organization as an advisor to Hockey Operations. https://t.co/jDdDnw762B
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) May 27, 2025
Laperriere will be an advisor to both Flyers General Manager Danny Briere and President of Hockey Operations Keith Jones. “I want to thank Ian for his tireless work in Lehigh Valley for the last four seasons,” Briere said in a statement today. “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.”
Lehigh Valley Phantoms owners Jim Brooks and Rob Brooks thanked Laperriere for the time and effort with the Phantoms. “On behalf of the entire Phantoms organization, we thank Lappy for his incredible dedication and passion,” they said in a statement. “He has given so much to the Lehigh Valley and we are grateful for that. We look forward to continuing to work with Lappy in his new advisory role.”
There were indications last week that Laperriere could be seeking a new position in the NHL either as a head coach or an assistant coach. However, the Flyers also left the door open that he could remain in the organization in a different role. Laperriere led the Phantoms this past season to the playoffs, defeating Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in a play-in round before taking the two-time defending Calder Cup champions Hershey Bears to a fifth and deciding game earlier this month.
The Flyers will begin their coaching search for the Phantoms immediately, as they look towards landing a successor for Laperriere. Laperriere will join a handful of other former Flyers in an advisor role within Hockey Operations. According to the listed personnel within the organization, “senior advisors” include Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, Bob Murray, Paul Holmgren and Dean Lombardi. Both John LeClair and Patrick Sharp are “special advisors” to Hockey Operations.
The Laperriere news comes on the same day the New Jersey Devils officially announced former Flyers assistant coach Brad Shaw as their new assistant coach. Shaw was on the Flyers’ short-list of head coaching candidates before Philadelphia decided on Rick Tocchet.
