Peter Laviolette fired by Flyers

Was MacTavish being hired because he was the best person for the job? Or was MacTavish being hired because he was the best person for the job, who also had a history with the franchise? (In addition to his tenure as coach, he won three Stanley Cups with the club as a player and a total of four as a teammate of Lowe).

Seven months later, the same question was poised to Philadelphia Flyers management as they introduced new head coach Craig Berube. When the concept of an insular atmosphere was brought to the attention of team owner Ed Snider, his reaction to the question mirrored that of Lowe’s.

Berube has spent the last 10 years in the franchise, acting in several capacities beginning as an assistant coach with the team’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Phantoms, and now culminating as the Flyers head coach. Having been named the Phantoms head coach in 2007-08, he registered a 49-29-5-3 record before being promoted to an assistant with the Flyers.

Berube’s promotion to head coach came on the heels of Peter Laviolette’s firing. The Flyers announced on Monday morning that Laviolette had been relieved of his duties after a disappointing performance in 2013 and an 0-3-0 start this season that saw the team record only three goals.

The team’s public relations department has announced a press conference for 11 a.m. Monday morning with president Peter Luukko and owner Ed Snider.

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