Flyers and Montgomery mutually part ways

In an interesting development the Philadelphia Flyers and head coach Jim Montgomery, whose contract has one year left to run, have mutually agreed to part ways with Montgomery being compensated for his final year as per terms of the League’s CBA, GM Tommy Barr announced today. 

Montgomery just let the Flyers to the Stanley Cup, guiding the club to a 48-34-8 record (82-82-15 overall) since being named head coach of the club at the start of the 2019-20 season. This is obviously quite a shock in the city of the Philadelphia as the team had high hopes to repeat as champions in the 2021-22 season.

Statement from Jim Montgomery
"After serious consideration throughout the season and further into the offseason I have come to the decision that I need to step away from the Flyers, and hockey in general, to recover from the day-to-day stresses, the tolls that takes and spend more time focusinf on my mental health. It has been two great seasons getting to know this team and city. I'd like to thank Tommy Barr for the opportunity to coach this team and look forward to meeting again in the future. It has been a privilege to work with the players and I will always remember our Stanley Cup win together. I wish the team and organisation all the best for the upcoming season – I have no doubt that this team will be competing for the Stanley Cup again next season.”

Statement from Tommy Barr
"Jim and I have had numerous conversations throughout the season, and I always knew that there was potential for this to happen at some stage. Our leadership team had hoped that Jim would reconsider following the teams Stanley Cup triumph, however we have to appreciate Jim’s request to take some time away. He is a great coach and his accomplishments with our club over the past two seasons speak for themselves. He has played an integral role in our success since his arrival, and we are extremely grateful for his passion and commitment. He was the right coach at the right time and helped us establish a standard that we will carry forward.”

The Flyers now have both NHL and AHL coaching positions to fill which they to do in the upcoming coach free agency period.

G. Ritty