• March 28, 2024

Ron Hextall Named Flyers Assistant GM [Updated]

ronhextall_winterclassicOnce a Flyer, always a Flyer.

The Philadelphia Flyers announced this afternoon that Ron Hextall has been named Assistant General Manager and Director of Hockey Operations. The full press release can be viewed here.

Hextall, best known as the “last great Flyers goaltender,” has served as an assistant general manager with the Los Angeles Kings since 2006. Prior to taking on that position, Hextall had served as a Director of Professional Player Personnel with the Flyers for four seasons.

Under his tenure in L.A., the Manchester Monarchs (the Kings’ AHL farm team) reached the playoffs every season, including the Calder Cup Conference Finals in two of them. The Kings also drafted under his supervision the likes of Wayne Simmonds, Drew Doughty, Slava Voynov, and Brayden Schenn, among many other active NHL players.

The assistant general manager position had previously been held by John Paddock, but he stepped down prior to the start of the 2013 NHL season to return to coaching. He spent the season as a “defensive coach” that worked with the players during practices.

For Hextall, moving on from the Kings makes sense. General manager Dean Lombardi (along with head coach Darryl Sutter) signed a contract extension in January through the 2016-17 NHL season. Lombardi’s position is safe after the Kings won the Stanley Cup in 2012, so Hextall would be facing a road block for advancement if he stayed.

Moving to the Flyers organization, though, is a bit confusing.

General manager Paul Holmgren’s position doesn’t appear to be in any immediate danger, though perhaps the results of the 2013 NHL season may be weighing more heavily on the organization than previously thought. It’s also possible that Holmgren could be considering a phased exit from the position soon, and bringing in Hextall now allows the organization to create a seamless transition.

Chris Pryor, the previous Director of Hockey Operations, will remain with the organization under the title “Director of Scouting.”

UPDATE: I don’t have a copy of the full transcript with reporters nor have I seen a copy on the internet yet. Some quotes gathered from multiple news outlets:

Dave Isaac,the Courier-Post:

On why he left L.A.: “I don’t have anything earth-shattering other than to say it was a gut feeling and that’s what I went with,” Hextall said in a conference call Monday night. “My family is out East. I have a history with the Flyers. There were a lot of things that factored into my decision.”

On one day becoming the Flyers’ general manager: “If that were to work out at some point when Homer’s had enough, that’s great,” Hextall said. “It could happen 29 other places, too.”

John Hoven, Mayor’s Manor blog, via twitter:

On returning to Philly: “Came together in a brief period of time. Spoke with Homer at the draft and it steamrolled.”

On if this move puts him closer to a GM position: “I have no answer for your question.”

‘Hextall repeatedly saying it’s a lateral move, he knows that, but he’s just going with his gut.’

“The hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life was leaving Philly to advance my dream of being a GM.”

Josh Janet

Josh Janet was raised in Northern New Jersey, but by an odd set of circumstances, is a Philadelphia sports fan. While recently converted to the Phillies, Josh is a diehard Flyers fan and can be expected to stay on top of the latest NHL news.

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RegalEagle
RegalEagle
July 15, 2013 10:03 pm

I am that guy.

You know the one.

The guy who loves this move because …

I am that Flyers Fan!

paulman
paulman
July 15, 2013 11:38 pm

I always liked Hextall, straight-up, tell it like it a king of guy, just as he was as a Player.. Demands a lot of himself and those around him..
Maybe he help some of old guard “yes men” that gave surrounded Owner Ed Snider for the last 30 Years.. At a minimum, he can focus on helping the Goalies/Defensenen on Teanwork, Strategies, Positioning, etc , and can help develop some of young Players that the Flyers Organization have Drafted and recently acquired to Play more as a Unit..
Best Luck to Hextall..