Flyers fire Head Coach Hakstol, Luke Pierce to replace him
Mar 1, 2016 13:51:58 GMT -5
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Post by bjernagris (PHI) on Mar 1, 2016 13:51:58 GMT -5
Philadelphia Flyers fire Head Coach Hakstol, Sign Luke Pierce
The Philadelphia Flyers on Friday fired coach Dave Hakstol after one season.
"I just didn't feel he got enough out of our group collectively," Flyers general manager Björn Thelin said in making the announcement.
Hakstol led the Flyers into the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season, and made the Conference Finals in which they were eliminated in 7 games against Washington Capitals.
Thelin said he made the decision Thursday and informed Hakstol on Friday.
"I sat down with Rashid (bin Imran, Flyers new chairman) earlier this week to evaluate the season and we jointly came to a conclusion regarding the team's performance. Although the team had a good playoff run and made it to the Conference Finals, we feel there is more to get out from this team. Our regular season performance was fairly inconsistent, particularly on home ice, and we often found ourselves on the losing side of tight games" Thelin said. "We wanted to make the right decision for the future of the team. Once we had put all the facts together, we came to the conclusion that the best option at this point is to bring a new face, new ideas on board."
"It is always difficult to let somebody go that has worked so hard and has particularly been such a great member of our organization," Flyers new chairman bin Imran said. "I wish Dave the absolute best in the future and I really appreciate everything he has done for the Flyers. I know that Björn has agonized over making this decision. He studied over the situation very carefully and presented his conclusion to me. We jointly made the decision. Obviously he is the general manager and I support him in what he does and I am looking forward to bringing Pierce on board."
To replace Hakstol, the Flyers have offered 32-year old Luke Pierce a multi-year contract. Last season, Pierce coached WHL side Kootenay Ice, which had an underwhelming season (28-37-7) and Pierce was relieved of his position after season's end.
I wasn't going to choose the coach that was the people's choice, the popular choice," Thelin said Friday. "I was going to pick the coach that I felt like for this franchise from today, next year, moving forward was the right coach. Luke is the right coach for this franchise. We have a relatively young team, and Luke is well known for his work with with young players. I have talked to him on and off during the season and I have gotten a very solid, very professional impression. He is still young but I have done my due diligence and have heard nothing but superlatives about him."
Assistant Coaches Derian Hatcher and Ian Laperierre have also been relieved of their positions. The rest of the coaching staff is expected to remain intact.
The Philadelphia Flyers on Friday fired coach Dave Hakstol after one season.
"I just didn't feel he got enough out of our group collectively," Flyers general manager Björn Thelin said in making the announcement.
Hakstol led the Flyers into the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season, and made the Conference Finals in which they were eliminated in 7 games against Washington Capitals.
Thelin said he made the decision Thursday and informed Hakstol on Friday.
"I sat down with Rashid (bin Imran, Flyers new chairman) earlier this week to evaluate the season and we jointly came to a conclusion regarding the team's performance. Although the team had a good playoff run and made it to the Conference Finals, we feel there is more to get out from this team. Our regular season performance was fairly inconsistent, particularly on home ice, and we often found ourselves on the losing side of tight games" Thelin said. "We wanted to make the right decision for the future of the team. Once we had put all the facts together, we came to the conclusion that the best option at this point is to bring a new face, new ideas on board."
"It is always difficult to let somebody go that has worked so hard and has particularly been such a great member of our organization," Flyers new chairman bin Imran said. "I wish Dave the absolute best in the future and I really appreciate everything he has done for the Flyers. I know that Björn has agonized over making this decision. He studied over the situation very carefully and presented his conclusion to me. We jointly made the decision. Obviously he is the general manager and I support him in what he does and I am looking forward to bringing Pierce on board."
To replace Hakstol, the Flyers have offered 32-year old Luke Pierce a multi-year contract. Last season, Pierce coached WHL side Kootenay Ice, which had an underwhelming season (28-37-7) and Pierce was relieved of his position after season's end.
I wasn't going to choose the coach that was the people's choice, the popular choice," Thelin said Friday. "I was going to pick the coach that I felt like for this franchise from today, next year, moving forward was the right coach. Luke is the right coach for this franchise. We have a relatively young team, and Luke is well known for his work with with young players. I have talked to him on and off during the season and I have gotten a very solid, very professional impression. He is still young but I have done my due diligence and have heard nothing but superlatives about him."
Assistant Coaches Derian Hatcher and Ian Laperierre have also been relieved of their positions. The rest of the coaching staff is expected to remain intact.