The Philadelphia Flyers, coming off a 33-31-18 (84 points) season where they missed the playoffs have decided to make a coaching change. After less than two years at the helm, including a 75-58-28 (.553) record, and a first round playoff loss to the New York Rangers last year, general manager Ron Hextall has decided to fire head coach Craig Berube.
He spent six seasons as a Flyers assistant before being promoted to head coach when the Flyers fired Peter Laviolette just 3 games into the 2013-14 season. Berube was with the organization as a player, assistant coach and head coach for 18 seasons, doing all three with both the Flyers and Phantoms. He has one year remaining on his contract.
Below is the press release courtesy of the Flyers and the National Hockey League.
Craig Berube relieved of duties as Flyers head coach
The Philadelphia Flyers have relieved head coach Craig Berube of his duties with the club, according to general manager Ron Hextall.
Berube was the 18th head coach in Flyers history and was named to the post on October 7, 2013. He recently completed his second season as head coach and leaves the position with a record of 75-58-28 (.553).
Prior to being named head coach, Berube spent six seasons as a Flyers assistant. He has spent 18 seasons with the organization as a player, assistant coach and head coach, doing all three with both the Flyers and Phantoms.
The team will begin a search for a new head coach immediately.
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Berube joins a long list of recent NHL head coaches looking for work. Some names already available who have recently been head coaches include Dan Bylsma, Peter DeBoer, John Tortorella, Paul MacLean, Peter Horacek and Randy Carlyle. Mike Babcock’s contract with the Detroit Red Wings is also set to expire. Meanwhile coaches currently on the hot seat include Todd McLellan, Claude Julien, and Ken Hitchcock.
Main Photo via Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images/NHL Collection
