If you can’t beat him, join him.
The Flyers watched their former star player Patrick Sharp help the Chicago Blackhawks win the first of three Stanley Cups by defeating Philadelphia in the 2010 Final.
But no hard feelings.
On Tuesday, the Flyers named Sharp a special advisor to hockey operations. He will report directly to general manager Daniel Briere.
“I am proud to announce the addition of Patrick Sharp to our hockey operations team,” said Briere. “Patrick is a well-established veteran on-and-off the ice and his incomparable hockey knowledge will be a valuable asset to our organization and young prospects.”
Sharp, 41, will be involved in all aspects of the club’s hockey operations department with a strong focus on player development with Flyers prospects.
“In adding Patrick Sharp to our group, we are gaining an individual who has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to building an environment of winning at all levels,” said president of hockey operations Keith Jones. “Patrick knows what it takes to win, he understands how to convey that to our players and is a relationship maker. He will be a vital component as we continue to build the foundation of the Philadelphia Flyers.”
Sharp brings a strong winning culture from all levels of hockey in his 16-year professional career. He is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion and served as an alternate captain on the Chicago Blackhawks winning teams in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native was originally selected by the Flyers in the third round (95th overall) of the 2001 NHL Draft and was a member of the 2005 Calder Cup Championship team with the Philadelphia Phantoms of the American Hockey League (AHL). Internationally, he represented Canada at the 2008 and 2012 IIHF World Championships and won a gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Sharp collected 287 goals/620 points in 939 career NHL games in 15 seasons (2002-18) with Philadelphia, Chicago and Dallas. The former winger tallied 87 points 47 goals/87 points in 142 career Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Sharp announced his retirement from the NHL following the 2017-18 season and has spent the last five seasons in broadcasting with NBC Sports and NBC Sports Chicago in both studio and color commentary roles. He has also served as advisor to the coaching staff with the University of Vermont since September 2021.
