Philadelphia Flyers sign Patrick Sharp and John LeClair as special counsel

2023-06-16 00:02:09

Last Wednesday, the Flyers made public the appointment of Patrick Sharp as special counsel for hockey operations, and on Thursday that of John LeClair with the same position. It is the continuation of the restructuring in the management organization chart of the franchise after the sudden termination of Chuck Fletcher as president of hockey operations and general manager, to separate both positions, Daniel Brière being named interim general manager immediately to become permanent in May at the same time that on that same date Keith Jones made the leap from the world of television to the presidency of hockey operations.

Now they are joined by two others who fulfill the same condition as the occupants of the organization’s leadership, wearing the orange Flyers jersey like professionals.

return to the origins

Although the peak of his career was reached as a player of Chicago Blackhawks, Patrick Sharp had his entry into the NHL at the hands of the Flyers that he was chosen in the third round of the 2001 draft, but his career had not yet taken off in the city of brotherly love and after playing 93 games in different periods of three seasons, he requested a transfer that was granted to him to be part of the Blackhawks of the triplet.

Although at 41 years old he still has a lot of future ahead of him, somehow the Winnipeg native closes a professional circle once again being part of his first professional colors.

After his retirement, he has taken part in television broadcasts and last season he was the commentator on the broadcasts for the local operator of the Chicago Blackhawks, But after just one year on the job, Sharp has a change of scenery and will work from the offices as a hockey professional.

a legend comes home

Who does have a long service record on the ice in the city of brotherly love is John LeClairten seasons in which he delivered his best hockey, forming part of the legendary line “Legion of doom” together with Eric Lindros y Mikael Renbergscoring 50 or more goals in three consecutive seasons between 1995 and 1998.

LeClair, like Sharp, has not held managerial positions, but has coached in the 3onIce league, which pits teams of three skaters against each other at events in different cities throughout the summer.

With both Sharp and LeClair, from the top of the team they aspire to infuse the team with qualities like the winning character and others that all the old fans link to the franchise of the flying P, the grit, the determination and the competitiveness. The foundations of the new building have been laid and Brière, to whom they will report directly, counts on them to train the young talent that he aspires to include in the team.