While the Flyers have been talking about a “rebuild” on the ice, there have been some significant ones off the frozen surface as well.
Earlier this month, the team parted ways with president/general manager Chuck Fletcher. He was replaced by interim GM Daniel Briere.
On Monday, the team announced CEO of Comcast Spectacor and Flyers chairman Dave Scott will be retire on April 1.
He will be replaced by Dan Hilferty, who joined the company in February as co-CEO of Comcast Spectacor (with Scott), although Scott remained in charge of the Flyers.
Besides Fletcher and Scott, the Flyers also changed coaches before the season began, with John Tortorella being signed to a three-year contract to begin changing the culture with the on-ice product.
Scott has spent the three decades with Comcast Spectacor, the last seven years specifically after the passing of Flyers’ founder and chairman Ed Snider.
The Flyers have won only one playoff series over that span and are about to miss the postseason for a third straight season.
“Working for both Comcast and Comcast Spectacor have been the opportunity of a lifetime,” Scott said in a statement. “I’m very proud of all we’ve accomplished. It has been an incredible honor to work for such a terrific company and I’m very thankful to (Comcast chairman and CEO) Brian (Roberts) for his trust in me. I’ve also been fortunate to work with som any fantastic colleagues and look forward to watching the company continue to work under Dan’s leadership.”
No doubt under Hilferty’s new regime there will be other changes in store for the storied franchise.
“I’ve enjoyed partnering with Dave since I’ve joined Comcast Spectacor last month and I’m energized about the opportunity to further advance the company,” Hilferty said.
“Our number one goal for the Flyers will be to consistently compete for the Stanley Cup. It is going to be a process that will take time to get on that path, but I’m confident we are headed in the right direction with Danny Briere and coach Tortorella and our hiring of a president of hockey operations soon.”
Hilferty, an Ocean City, N.J. native who attended St. Joseph’s University, sounds like he wants to be proactive in the Flyers’ operations.
“Our leadership team will be fully focused to deliver on this (consistently competitive) for our fans,” Hilferty said. “While also continuing to make the sports complex the location for sports and entertainment in the nation.”
Prior to joining Comcast, Hilferty served as president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross for 10 years. He also recently led Philadelphia’s bid to become one of 16 North American cities to host the 2026 men’s World Cup.
The Flyers announced senior advisors such as Bob Clarke, Bill Barber and Paul Holmgren will no longer serve in specific roles.
