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Last summer, he and the Flyers' front office were trying to solve the myriad problems that had resulted in an NHL-low 56 points during the 2006-07 season.
This summer, the organization is basking in the glow of a season that included a trip to the Eastern Conference finals after posting 42 wins and 95 points during the regular season.
Yesterday, Stevens, 42, was rewarded with a 2-year contract extension that runs to the end of the 2010-11 season, according to general manager Paul Holmgren.
"I'm very excited that I can continue with the organization and help the team keep moving in the direction we're going," said Stevens, who was promoted from assistant coach to head coach on Oct. 22, 2006, after Ken Hitchcock was fired. "It's exciting to be a part of the team that is building towards the ultimate goal."
The team did not disclose financial terms.
Last season's turnaround, which included 20 more wins than the previous season, gave the Flyers the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They defeated third-seeded Washington and top-seeded Montreal before falling to No. 2 seed Pittsburgh in five games.
"John is very deserving of this new contract," Holmgren said in a statement. "He is a very energetic coach who brings a lot of enthusiasm and passion to the game and we look forward to working together over the next few years."
Stevens was drafted by the Flyers in 1984. After a 15-year pro career that included stints with the Flyers and their AHL affiliates, the Hershey Bears and Phantoms, Stevens coached the Phantoms for six seasons, winning the Calder Cup in 2005.
"My family and I are very happy in the area, and I'm very excited about the upcoming year," Stevens said. "Last season, we knew that, in order for us to improve, a lot of our young players needed to mature. And each one of them did. This offseason, Paul Holmgren did a great job of keeping players here as best we could and continued to improve our team. I think we're ahead of where we were last year. I think we're doing a great job of being physically ready and also we have a great attitude."
This extension is a reflection of the head coach's continued improvement.
"Every day, I try to get better as a head coach, and I think I am," Stevens said. "I have almost 2 full years now. I know what works for us and I know how to prepare for the opponents. I feel comfortable."
The organization obviously feels comfortable with him behind the bench.
"John has done a fantastic job," said Peter Luukko, president and chief operating officer of Comcast-Spectacor. "He has a great relationship with our younger players, dating back to the Phantoms' Calder Cup championship, and he certainly has a great rapport with the veterans on the team. It is obvious, with our long playoff run last season, that John has done an excellent job." *
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