Tilger to head Flyers' business operations

Shawn Tilger assumed some of Peter Luukko's duties and was named the Flyers' chief operating officer of business operations on Thursday.

Tilger, 42, will continue to serve as senior vice president, but will have added responsibilities, including serving as an alternate governor to the NHL.

"It's an honor to represent the club from a business standpoint and work with the NHL and the . . . Philadelphia hockey market," said Tilger, who grew up in Beverly, N.J., and was a star linebacker at Holy Cross High (coached at the time by former Phillie Greg Luzinski) and Lafayette. "It gives me a chance to grow the sport."

In early December, Luukko resigned suddenly, saying he wanted the opportunity to "cash out" and "then decide what's fun for me." Luukko was involved in some of the club's personnel decisions, acting as a sounding board and giving input to general manager Paul Holmgren.

Tilger will not be involved in any of the club's personnel matters.

"That's between Paul and Ed Snider," he said. Snider is chairman of the Flyers' parent company, Comcast-Spectacor.

In his new position, Tilger will work closely with the league in bringing events to Philadelphia - a duty formerly held by Luukko. He will also be the person who arranges for college hockey games and for the AHL Phantoms to play at the Wells Fargo Center.

Snider said Tilger "continues to surprise us all with his creativity and dedication to our team. He's truly deserving of this promotion."

In 2007, Tilger was named the Flyers' senior vice president of business operations. Before that, he spent four years as the vice president of marketing and communications.

With Tilger running the business side, the Flyers have set numerous attendance records for a season. He was named to the Sports Business Journal's "40 Under 40" in 2010.

A 16-year employee of Comcast-Spectacor, Tilger said he was grateful for the chance to run the Flyers' business side on a day-to-day basis.

"I appreciate the opportunity that Ed Snider and Dave Scott [president of Comcast-Spectacor] are giving me and the confidence they are showing in me," he said.

Tilger said he wants to get "more people involved in the sport, get more people playing it, watching it on TV and listening to it on the radio - and, ultimately, attending the games."

The Flyers entered Thursday with 131 consecutive home sellouts.

Tilger, who received a master's degree in sports management from Springfield (Mass.) College, will report directly to Snider. He lives in Moorestown with his wife, Erika, and their children, Ava, 9, and Gavin, 5.