Flyers give coach two-year contract
Stevens (4-7-1) rewarded one month after promotion to head coach
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PHILADELPHIA - A month after elevating John Stevens to the head coaching job, the Philadelphia Flyers gave him a two-year contract on Monday.
Stevens, who replaced the fired Ken Hitchcock, went 4-7-1 in his first 12 games.
“This stabilizes the situation in terms of his leadership of the hockey team,” general manager Paul Holmgren said. “We are looking forward from this point on as we march ahead.”
Stevens coached Philadelphia’s AHL affiliate, the Phantoms, for six seasons before signing a one-year contract as Hitchcock’s assistant this year. Stevens replaced Hitchcock on Oct. 22, the same day longtime GM Bob Clarke stepped down in the team’s biggest shakeup in recent history.
With Stevens signed through the 2007-08 season, the Flyers move forward in their rebuilding process. A team that reached the playoffs each of the last 11 seasons is now among the worst in the NHL.
“I know that we have work to do here, but I do see a lot of potential for this hockey team,” Stevens said. “I want to be the guy who brings success here. I’ve been in Philadelphia for a long time and I know what it means to win here.
“I’ve won championships at the minor league level, and I’d love to have the chance to do it at the NHL level. We have a great coaching staff in place and it’s a pleasure working with Paul Holmgren.”
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