The Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the AHL affiliate of the Flyers, made several notable changes during the 2025 offseason to bolster their roster and coaching staff for the 2025-26 season. Here’s a summary of the key moves, and boy there were a lot of them.
Coaching Staff Changes
- New Head Coach: John Snowden was promoted to head coach, replacing Ian Laperrière, who transitioned to an Advisor to Hockey Operations role. Snowden, a first-time AHL head coach, previously served as an assistant with the Phantoms (2023-25) and the Toronto Marlies (2021-23), and won the ECHL’s Kelly Cup as head coach of the Newfoundland Growlers in 2019.
- Assistant Coaches: Nick Schultz was promoted to Assistant Coach, and Terrence Wallin joined the staff as an assistant. Wallin, aged 33, previously served as head coach and GM of the Maine Mariners in the ECHL (2022-25). These changes aim to enhance player development, particularly for the influx of young prospects expected in Lehigh Valley.
Player Signings and Roster Changes
- Zayde Wisdom Re-Signed: After not receiving a qualifying offer from the Flyers, forward Zayde Wisdom, a fan favorite, signed a one-year AHL contract with the Phantoms. In the 2024-25 season, Wisdom recorded 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) in 68 games and added four points in seven playoff games, showcasing a strong comeback after earlier challenging seasons. His return adds experience and leadership to a young forward group.
- Garrett Wilson Re-Signed: Veteran captain Garrett Wilson was also re-signed to an AHL contract, providing continuity and leadership for the 2025-26 season. Wilson was a key part of the Phantoms’ roster that reached the division semifinals in 2024-25.
- Carson Golder Signed: The Phantoms signed 22-year-old forward Carson Golder to an AHL contract. Golder, who spent most of the 2024-25 season with the ECHL’s Norfolk Admirals (32 points in 41 games), also played 10 games with the Manitoba Moose (AHL), recording two assists. His addition brings scoring depth and versatility.
- Yaniv Perets Signed: To address the loss of goaltender Parker Gahagen to the Bridgeport Islanders, the Phantoms signed Yaniv Perets to an AHL contract. Perets, previously with the Carolina Hurricanes organization, played one NHL game, four AHL games with the Chicago Wolves (1-2-1, 3.93 GAA, .846 SV%), and 27 ECHL games with the Bloomington Bison (12-12-1, 2.59 GAA, .921 SV%, three shutouts). His college career at Quinnipiac was stellar, with a 1.34 GAA and .935 SV% over 74 games, leading to a National Title in 2023.
- Notable Departures: Key players from the 2024-25 roster, including leading scorer Olle Lycksell, defenseman Louie Belpedio, forward Elliot Desnoyers, and goalkeepers Cal Petersen and Parker Gahagen, have moved on. These departures signal a roster transition, with the team leaning on incoming rookies and veterans to fill gaps.
Prospects and Youth Movement
- Incoming Rookies: The Phantoms are set to integrate several promising Flyers prospects, including possibly Alex Bump, Denver Barkey, Oliver Bonk, Ty Murchison, Carson Bjarnason, Devin Kaplan, and Karsen Dorwart. Most are expected to play with the Phantoms, unless they secure spots with the Flyers. This youth injection is seen as a critical step in rebuilding the Phantoms into a perennial AHL contender.
- Roster Composition: The 2024-25 roster included 22 returning players, such as Cooper Marody, Emil Andrae, Ronnie Attard, and Samu Tuomaala, alongside new additions like Anthony Richard, Massimo Rizzo, Rodrigo Abols, and Oskar Eklind. The 2025-26 roster is expected to maintain a low average age (around 24 for forwards), emphasizing youth development.
Schedule and Organizational Notes
- 2025-26 Schedule: The Phantoms released their 2025-26 schedule, starting with a home opener against the Belleville Senators on October 11, 2025. Key home games include matchups against rivals Hershey Bears (October 24) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (October 12), with a New Year’s Eve game against Hershey and a Valentine’s Day game against Cleveland. The schedule features only Eastern Conference opponents this season, with 12 games against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and 10 against Hershey.
- Organizational Focus: The Phantoms’ front office, led by Flyers Assistant General Manager Alyn McCauley, is focusing on building a stronger AHL contender. Criticism has been noted about the Flyers’ historically hands-off approach to the Phantoms, but recent moves suggest a commitment to improving the team through smart veteran signings and prospect development.
Analysis
The Phantoms’ offseason changes reflect a strategic blend of continuity (re-signing Wilson and Wisdom), new talent (Golder and Perets), and a focus on youth development under a revamped coaching staff. The loss of key players like Lycksell and Belpedio presents challenges, but the influx of prospects and the experienced leadership of Snowden and his staff position the Phantoms for a competitive 2025-26 season. The emphasis on developing young talent aligns with the Flyers’ rebuilding efforts, and the new coaching staff’s track record suggests a focus on maximizing player potential. These moves aim to address past criticisms of the Phantoms’ roster construction and build a team capable of sustained success in the AHL.
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