Stevens Out As Flyers Coach

Peter Laviolette is in...

John Stevens was a model of a guy who came up through the minor league system to be a head coach at the pro level. After his successes with the AHL Phantoms across the parking lot, he was promoted to the head coaching position.

But, the city of Philadelphia being what it is, Stevens is now out as head coach after the Flyers lost three straight and six of their last seven.

So much for the guy who took the team to the Eastern Conference title series in 2007, right...???

Peter Laviolette is the new bench boss...
GM Paul Holmgren made the decision and it was his alone...

Joe Staszak got to stand in front of a monitor to discuss...
((HT: WTXF-TV/MyFoxPhilly))


Part of the statement from the Flyers reads:

"I know this was a very difficult decision for Paul to make. And, I really feel bad for John because he's been a terrific long-time member of our organization," said Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider. "I was hoping that the team would play better and that this could have been avoided, but after last night's game, I think Paul felt he had to make this change. I make it a policy never to overrule my general manager, because once I do, it means I've lost confidence in him. I really want to wish John the best."

“John has always been a member of the Flyers family, and always will, and that’s why this was a very hard decision for us to make,” said Comcast-Spectacor President Peter A. Luukko. “He was drafted by the Flyers and literally grew up within our organization. He won a Calder Cup with the Phantoms, both as a player and as our coach. He then became an assistant coach of the Flyers and eventually our head coach. We wish him and his family nothing but the best.”

“This was a very difficult decision for me to make given my relationship with John. I want to thank him for his service to the Flyers organization over the years. However, in watching the team over the past few weeks I felt a new voice was needed in order to get us out of this and in the direction we expect,” said Holmgren. “Peter Laviolette brings experience along with a different approach to the game. We look forward to him putting his stamp on the team quickly and getting our team headed in the right direction.”

Whether or not Laviolette can be like Stevens, who turned the team around from a Ken Hitchcock-based 1-6-1 start in 2006, remains to be seen. Stevens did the turn with his guys from the Phantoms.

Laviolette gets high-priced hired guns...
What's wrong with this picture...???

AHL Player Leaves Ice On Stretcher After Fight

((HT: TSN/CSN))

Philadelphia Phantoms forward Garrett Klotz ((pictured, thanks TSN/Comcast Sportsnet)) left the ice on a stretcher Friday after a vicious fight with Kevin Westgarth of Manchester ended with the winger suffering from a seizure. Klotz was immediately taken to a hospital, where it was revealed he suffered lacerations but no fractures to his face. He was fully responsive and alert while being treated.

"It was a scary incident," said Philadelphia Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren. "But we just got word from our doctor that he's clear - there's no facial fracture. They're stitching him up - his jaw is fine and there's no tooth fracture or anything. It's a scary ordeal, but he's going to be fine."

Immediately following the opening faceoff, Klotz and Westgarth dropped the gloves. With their helmets off, the two went toe-to-toe at center ice, exchanging glancing blows. The duel shifted towards the Monarchs' bench and Westgarth steadied before unleashing several haymakers to the head. Klotz was hit with an uppercut that caught him off guard and Westgarth continued with a pair of pin-point rights, the latter sending Klotz to the ice.

On his way down, Klotz appeared to land awkwardly on the boards. Though he did not hit his head on the ice, his knees were shaking uncontrollably and his eyes rolled to the back of his head as the stretcher quickly made its way towards the bloodied player. Westgarth concernedly looked on from the penalty box as several Phantoms helped Klotz onto the stretcher and off to a local hospital.

Both fighters stood at 6-foot-5 with Westgarth weighing in at 247 pounds and Klotz at 235.

Watch the clip by clicking in black...

http://watch.tsn.ca/clip132997#clip132997