Terry Murray hired as Phantoms coach
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Terry Murray hired as Phantoms coach
In an effort to bolster their lacking farm system, the Flyers made two important hires on Friday.
For one, the Flyers announced that former NHL head coach Terry Murray, who has amassed 499 career wins, is the new head coach of the AHL’s Adirondack Phantoms.
Ian Laperriere, who retired earlier in June after an 18-year NHL career, will officially assume the full-time post of Director of Player Development to aid in skill, fitness and nutrition development of prospects.
Murray’s hiring was first reported on Saturday. Murray, 61, is back for his fifth tour of duty with the Flyers organization, including two as a player and now three as a coach.
Murray has not coached in the AHL since 1989. His 1,012 NHL games coached make him (by far) the most experienced to ever coach in the league.
“We feel very fortunate to be able to bring Terry back to the Flyers organization as head coach of the Phantoms,” Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said in a statement. “Terry brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, is an excellent teacher and a strong believer in the development process of young players.”
The Flyers have been looking for a steadying influence for their top minor league affiliate, who will be playing under their fourth head coach in four seasons since moving from Philadelphia to Glens Falls, N.Y.
The Phantoms have yet to make the Calder Cup playoffs since moving in 2009. Joe Paterson was fired in May after bringing the talent-depleted Phantoms to the brink of the playoffs.
Many of the team’s top players, including Marc-Andre Bourdon, Erik Gustafsson, Zac Rinaldo, and Harry Zolnierczyk were plucked by the Flyers throughout the season.
“I really appreciate the opportunity to come back to the Flyers organization and I’m really looking forward to the challenge that’s out there of coaching the Phantoms,” Murray said. “The youth playing down in the American Hockey League is a real important part of the organization. I’m looking forward to the challenge of getting back into the playoffs and helping these young players develop and become NHL players as quickly as possible.”
Murray was fired by the Los Angeles Kings on Dec. 12, 2011. He was replaced by Darryl Sutter, who guided the Kings to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Murray will still receive a Stanley Cup ring for his service to the organization.
Murray, who was an assistant coach under Ken Hitchcock and John Stevens, left the Flyers in 2008 to go to the Kings. He was also the Flyers’ head coach from 1994-1997. Murray also coached in Florida (1998-2001) and Washington (1989-1994).
Murray has not coached in the AHL since 1989, when he was with the now-defunct Baltimore Skipjacks. He certainly has not coached in a remote outpost like Glens Falls, the smallest market in the AHL, at any point in his career.
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The Flyers are always loyal to old soldiers. Nice to see Terry back in the fold. He is not a bad coach he will do some good teaching down on the farm. We stii still don't know the real reason joe Paterson was let go. I always liked Joe even though he only played in Philly a short time. He was a tough type of player— NJflyerfan- Terry Murray is a class act and should do a great job coaching the young players on the Phantoms. Good hire by Homer.— BobbyD
Comment removed.- I never understood why the Flyers moved the Phantoms to Glen Falls. It would have made more sense to keep them near Philly so the former fans could support them. Why not Trenton or Camden or Atlantic City?— Chiefmanybrs
- Seems to me that Patterson was a pretty good coach. Must have been too rough on the players.— scootch
- The last report I heard was that an arena was going to be built in Allentown, and the Phantoms were going to be moved there from New York when the arena was ready. What happened to that?— Pelle31
- The arena is tied up in a lawsuit. The area has been razed and excavation started, but that's about as far as its gone. Hanover and Bethlehem Twps. have filed suit, essentially, because they want the money instead. Pa. lawmakers are working to change the law to make the lawsuit moot and move the project forward. It's not dead by any means, but delayed for sure.
— icarus - Phantoms need to come back to Philly, period. They got more talent back then and with the Flyers in such close proximity and even skating together I think has great effect on the players.— LAFlyer
- Murray hasn't coached in the AHL since 1989. Apparently, players aren't the only thing going to Adirondack waiting for a shot on the Flyers' bench. Take note, Lavy. Another quick round-two exit and it's curtains for the "attack strategy".— icarus
- Relocate the Phantoms to Vineland,NJ.,easy to get to (Right off rt.55,brand new rink,plenty of parking,twenty minutes out of Philly. Makes sense!— quigly46
- Coaching the Phantoms is only a pit stop before coaching the Flyers in December when Lavi gets fired. Lavi better change his system and implement some D or he won't even last that long. Count on it. Go Flyers!— Fly Guy
- My kids miss the reasonably priced Phantoms games in PHILLY.— albrock
- Think we all miss the Phantoms in Philly. It was a real shame they couldn't have moved them to say Trenton where'd they'd still be in REASONABLE driving distance. Instead they banished them to up-state NY and even the eventual destination in Allentown isn't exactly a stones throw away. And now it looks like the Allentown arena will be pushed back a year. Real shame. My kids & I miss those $10 Phantoms games.— kennedy2
