Former Head Coach of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, in Ian Laperrière was the Head Coach from 2021 to 2025.
During his tenure with the Phantoms, he achieved 100 regular-season wins and helped develop prospects like Tyson Foerster and Cam York. In May 2025, the Flyers and Laperrière mutually parted ways as Phantoms Head Coach, and today he has rejoined the organization as an advisor to Hockey Operations.
“I want to thank Ian for his tireless work in Lehigh Valley for the last four seasons,” said Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere. “He not only led the Phantoms in a return to the playoffs, but provided crucial development to several of our prospects. I am excited to welcome him back to the Flyers so he can continue to provide his insight in helping our team as we enter the next phase of the rebuild.”
The Phantoms will now begin their search for a new Head Coach.
The Reading Royals
On May 27, 2025, the Royals announced that Binkley was relieved of his duties as Head Coach and General Manager. The team initiated an immediate search for a new Head Coach. The decision followed a season where the Royals made the playoffs but underperformed expectations, with Binkley noting in earlier statements that the 2023–24 season’s poor performance had negatively affected players, fans, and the city.
Under Binkley, the Royals improved from their 2023–24 playoff miss to a 2024–25 playoff berth, but their early exit might have contributed to his departure. The team’s affiliation with the Flyers was extended through 2026–27, signaling continued emphasis on development, while the Head Coaching search begins immediately.
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