Gordon named Phantoms coach

The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have hired Scott Gordon as head coach of their American Hockey League affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. In addition, Riley Cote will return as an assistant coach of the Phantoms.

“We are extremely pleased to add Scott to our organization as head coach of our top affiliate in the Lehigh Valley,” said Flyers general manager Ron Hextall. “He brings in a proven track record of success and knowledge as a coach at all levels, and we are confident he can help develop our prospects through our system, as well as lead the Phantoms back to the Calder Cup Playoffs.”

Gordon, 52, most recently served as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs for three seasons under Ron Wilson (2011-12) and Randy Carlyle (2012-14). Prior to joining the Maple Leafs, Gordon spent parts of three seasons as the head coach of the New York Islanders, where he compiled a record of 64-94-23 in 181 regular-season games.

Gordon was hired by the Islanders after parts of six seasons with the Providence Bruins of the AHL, where he had a 221-156-32 record (.579) in 409 games. He led the Bruins to the Calder Cup Playoffs in five of his six seasons behind the bench. In 2007-08, Gordon led the Bruins to a 55-18-3-4 record and a league-leading 117 points during the regular season. He was the recipient of the Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award, presented to the AHL’s outstanding coach, following that season.

A native of Brockton, Mass., Gordon has served as head coach of the Men’s U.S. National team in 2010 and 2011, while also serving as assistant coach of Team USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver which took home a silver medal. In addition, Gordon also represented the United States in the 1992 Winter Olympics as a goaltender.

Gordon played eight professional seasons from 1986-94, including 150 games in the AHL with the Halifax Citadels and New Haven Nighthawks.

Cote, 33, enters his sixth season as assistant coach with the Phantoms after being named to the position on Aug. 9, 2010. As a player, he won a Calder Cup championship with the Philadelphia Phantoms in 2005 and appeared in 156 regular-season games with the Flyers.