Flyers president Paul Holmgren says he decided to ‘step aside,’ is now senior adviser

Flyers president Paul Holmgren will take on a new role as senior adviser to Dave Scott, Comcast Spectacor chairman and Flyers CEO, and general manager Chuck Fletcher.

The rumor of the move started circulating a few months ago, but the team denied back then that it was going to happen.

This past season was Holmgren’s 40th with the organization, where he began as a player, and fifth as president.

Under the new leadership structure, Fletcher takes on the new title of president of hockey operations and general manager and will report directly to Scott.

Both Scott and Holmgren emphasized conference call Thursday that the move was Holmgren’s idea. (Fletcher was unavailable because he was traveling.)

“I first approached Dave about this back in June 2018. I talked about where I was in life and how I really wanted to spend more time with my grandchildren and family,” Holmgren said. “It kind of started there. As we went through the year we kind of nailed down the details as we went along.”

Holmgren, 63, said he has a simple reason for wanting to reduce his role.

“I have eight grandchildren that I like and want to get to know and want to be around,” Holmgren said. “I spent a long time in the hockey world and long with the Flyers. I felt as I went through the year this year that it was time to step aside and move on to a different phase in my life.”

Holmgren joined the Flyers as a player in 1975, when they lost to Montreal in the Stanley Cup Final. He stayed with the Flyers until being traded in February 1984 to Minnesota, where he played until retiring in 1985.

He returned to the Flyers as an assistant coach from 1985 to 1988 and then served as head from 1988 to 1992.

After that he spent time as coach and general manager of the Hartford Whalers. He returned to the Flyers as the director of pro scouting from 1995 to 1999 and assistant general manager from 1999 to 2006.

Holmgren served as general manger from 2006 to 2014 before taking on the role of team president.

With Holmgren taking a step back, Scott acknowledged that his own role will increase.

“The three of us -- Paul, Chuck, and I -- have worked together,” Scott said. “Paul and I recruited Chuck together and it was a thorough process and I have gotten to know Chuck well. Yes, I will be spending more time with him directly.”

Fletcher was named the Flyers’ general manager on Dec. 3, replacing Ron Hextall.

Holmgren said he still expects to contribute to the Flyers.

“I am not going to go away totally,” he said. “I will be at games. I love the Flyers and want the Flyers to do well. Anything I can help Dave with or Chuck with in the future, I will be around.”