The Adirondack Phantoms, proud AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, introduced today head coach Greg Gilbert at a press conference at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
Introduced by a Flyers contingent of general manager Paul Holmgren, director of hockey operations Chris Pryor and director of player development Don Luce, along with Phantoms co-owner/president Rob Brooks, Gilbert announced that he was very excited to be joining to organization.
“It is a great honor for me to be a part of the Adirondack Phantoms, first and foremost, and secondly the Philadelphia Flyers,” said Gilbert. “I think it is a great opportunity to work with such a historic and storied organization. You look back at the years of success that the Flyers have had, not only at the NHL level, but also at the [AHL] level and I hope to help to contribute to that so the winning ways can continue with the organization.”
Gilbert, who played at the Civic Center during the 1985-86 season on a rehab assignment with the Springfield Indians coming off a knee injury, remembers his trip to the Adirondacks very favorably.
“I am very excited about being in Glens Falls. It’s a beautiful area. I remember the atmosphere in the building, skating on the ice you could see the excitement of the fans. They are very knowledgeable hockey fans, very passionate about the game.”
The new Phantoms head coach also gave the assembly of local fans and members of the media a glimpse of what the new Adirondack roster will be like.
“We’re going to have a very exciting team here,” said Gilbert. “Probably a fairly young team, but we’ve got some good leadership and we’re going to play a hard-style game, which is what the game is all about.”
Flyers’ GM Paul Holmgren, who formally introduced Gilbert at Tuesday’s press conference, expressed great respect and enthusiasm for the Phantoms’ new coach.
“It’s a good day for hockey in the Adirondack region, as we introduce Greg Gilbert as the new coach of the Adirondack Phantoms,” said Holmgren. “Greg is a guy that I am extremely excited to have as a part of our organization. Not only has he been a winner as a player through his career in the National Hockey League, but he has been a winner as a coach and we look for his leadership and direction moving forward in our first season here in Adirondack.”
Holmgren also discussed why he felt Gilbert would be such a good fit with the Flyers’ farm club.
“I know Greg’s abilities and his motivation to work with younger players, something that’s really important in the new salary cap era in the NHL – where you’ve got to have a steady flow of young players that you can add to your big team; hopefully a couple each year. Greg’s strength as a coach are, obviously, his discipline, his ability to work with younger players and his tenacity behind the bench.”
