Stevens signs two-year extension

Aug 14, 2008 - 7:22 PM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Philadelphia Flyers coach John Stevens has parleyed last season's run to the Eastern Conference finals into another contract extension.

Stevens on Thursday signed a two-year deal that keeps him under contract with the Flyers through the 2010-11 campaign. Financial terms were not disclosed.

He originally signed a two-year contract through last season, then agreed to a one-year extension in December for the 2008-09 season.

"John is very deserving of this new contract," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. "He is a very energetic coach who brings a lot of energy and passion to the game and we look forward to working together over the next few years."

Last season, in his first full year as coach, Stevens guided the Flyers to a 42-29-11 record for 95 points after the team finished with the NHL's worst record in 2006-07. Philadelphia then defeated Washington and Montreal, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, in the playoffs.

The Flyers' postseason run ended with a five-game defeat to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"I am very excited," Stevens said. "This is something that we talked about in the early part of the summer. We knew it was just a matter of time before we got it done. I love being part of this organization and the direction of the team."

In parts of two seasons with the Flyers, Stevens has a career of 63-71-22. He was named Flyers coach early in the 2006-07 season after Ken Hitchcock was fired.

Prior to taking the Flyers job, Stevens served as coach of the Philadelphia Phantoms, the Flyers' affiliate in the American Hockey League, for six years. He guided the Phantoms to the Calder Cup title in 2005.

"He has a great relationship with our young players, dating back to the Phantoms' Calder Cup championship, and he certainly has a great rapport with the veterans on the team," Holmgren said. "It is obvious with our long playoff run last year that John has done an excellent job."