Flyers name Berube assistant coach

By Bob Herpen
The Phanatic Magazine

The Philadelphia Flyers announced Thursday that Craig Berube has been named an assistant coach.

"Craig will bring new energy to the Flyers' coaching staff," said general manager Paul Holmgren. "His knowledge of, and experience with many of our young players will be invaluable."

Berube, who spent part of the 2006-07 season as an assistant with Philadelphia, put together a 46-27-4-3 mark with the Philadelphia Phantoms of the American Hockey League a season ago.

The 42-year-old Alberta native carved out a niche as an enforcer over a 17- year NHL career with five teams, including the Flyers. He enjoyed two stints with Philly (1986-91; 1998-2000), recording 20 goals and 54 points along with 1,138 penalty minutes in 323 games.

In 1,054 total contests, the burly winger nicknamed "Chief" racked up 61 goals, 159 points and 3,149 minutes in penalties.

Berube's hiring fills the vacancy created when Terry Murray was hired as Los Angeles Kings head coach. He joins Joe Mullen, Jack McIlhargey and Reggie Lemelin as assistants to head coach John Stevens.

"I'm very happy to get a chance to return to the NHL with the Flyers," said Berube. "A year ago, going back down to the Phantoms was a good opportunity for me to get experience and to show that I could be a head coach."

In addition, the club announced that John Paddock will be the new head coach of the Phantoms, replacing Berube.

The 54-year-old Paddock enjoyed a brief NHL career with the Capitals, Nordiques and Flyers.

However, he is better known as a head coach and general manager in the AHL and NHL. He won two Calder Cup titles in 1988 and 1999 with Hershey and Hartford, and spent four seasons as head coach of the Winnipeg Jets from 1991-95.

Last year, Paddock went 36-23-6 as head coach of the Ottawa Senators before his firing late in the regular season.