Facing off
with the Flyers

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

It may have been a sweltering 91 degrees outside one day last week, but inside the Polonia Bank Flyers Skate Zone, things were cool as ice.
That’s because the Far Northeast facility on Decatur Road hosted a special appearance by Philadelphia Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren.
On June 16, the player-turned-coach-turned-manager laced up his skates to teach youngsters some skills at the hockey rink.
"Just to see the kids on the ice is great. They look like they’re having a blast. I’m thankful I had an opportunity to be here," said Holmgren. "Plus, this gives me a little time on the ice. The office can get old after a while. It’s always great to get out and skate a little."
The 50-plus starry-eyed spectators scored a chance to face off with one of Philadelphia’s big-timers through their participation in the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation, a program that teaches kids important lessons both on and off the ice.
The organization, created by Flyers founder Ed Snider in 2005, also supplies children with hockey equipment, ice time and experienced coaching. And there are a variety of special events, such as exhibition games, free tickets to see the Philadelphia Phantoms, and even participation in "Mites on Ice," a program that enables youngsters to play hockey between periods of Philadelphia Flyers games at the Wachovia Center.
"One of the real positives of our organization is that we are able to leverage the support of the Flyers," said Scott Tharp, president of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation. "Without fail, they’ve always answered our requests for appearances."
Which is why Holmgren happily showed up at the Flyers Skate Zone last week. The front-office exec — the first former Flyer to be named head coach of the team in the late 1980s — started last week’s visit with a question-and-answer session for the youngsters.
And they were more than ready.
"What is the most difficult part of skating?"
"Do you like coaching more or being a manager?"
"Do you ever play on roller blades?"
Holmgren graciously answered all questions and openly discussed the techniques of ice hockey, the friendships he has made along the way, and the business side of being a professional athlete.
"There’s a lot involved in playing hockey — handling the puck, being aware of the ice," he told his young audience at one point. "The more you practice skating, the better player you will become. The rest will fall in line."
After exercising their minds, Holmgren took the kids on a breakaway for some hands-on hockey action. He supervised a few skating drills, had the kids practice attacks and assists, and then said his goodbyes and hit the road.
It was a short visit, but it also was a thrill for the enthusiastic rookies.
"It’s pretty interesting to meet someone who played pro hockey when that’s what you want to do," said Greg McCabe, a 13-year-old defenseman who lives in Fox Chase. "I’m a big fan of the Flyers and I love to play hockey, so this was really fun."
Holmgren, a native of St. Paul, Minn., was named the Flyers’ assistant general manager in June 1999, then was promoted to general manager in November 2006.
His history with the Philadelphia Flyers, however, started long before his move to the front office. Fresh out of the University of Minnesota, Holmgren was selected by the Flyers in the sixth round of the 1975 National Hockey League entry draft. Over the next nine seasons he found a second home in Philadelphia — scoring 138 goals and 171 assists for 309 points in 500 games with the Flyers. He also racked up 1,600 penalty minutes, which ranks as second all-time in team history.
"My first game with the Flyers was incredible," Holmgren recalled as he watched the excited kids glide on the ice of the Flyers Skate Zone. "Just to play that first game was a huge deal, and it’s something I’ll never forget."
In 1984, Holmgren went from Philadelphia home to Minnesota, via a trade to the North Stars (these days they’re the Dallas Stars).
Holmgren played that final season and retired in 1985. hooked one final season, then in 1985 officially retired. He finished his professional hockey career with 144 goals and 179 assists for 323 points.
Holmgren soon decided to return to the City of Brotherly Love to give coaching a shot. He was a Flyers assistant coach for three seasons, then was named head coach in 1988. Over the next four seasons, Holmgren compiled a 107-126-31 record.
Despite playoff success in his first season, a two-year drought led to Holmgren’s dismissal in his fourth season. He stayed on as a scout but then accepted the head-coaching job with the Hartford Whalers (now the Carolina Hurricanes) in 1992.
Holmgren returned to the Flyers three years later as scouting director. He also was an assistant coach with Team USA, helping to lead the squad to the 1996 World Cup of Hockey Tournament and the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. In 2006, Holmgren returned to the Olympics, this time serving as assistant general manager of the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. That same year he served as general manager of the U.S. National Team for the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships.
Yes, Holmgren has certainly enjoyed a varied career on the ice. Picking his favorite aspect, he said, is as simple as scoring an empty-net goal.
"I’m at a point in my life now where I really like being the general manager," he said. "But to be honest, the best job I’ve ever had in my life was playing. Hockey is a great sport and a lot of fun, but it takes a lot of hard work."
Now 51, he lives in Somerdale, N.J., with his wife Doreen and four children, Jason, Kirsten, Wes and Greta. And while life as the general manager of his beloved Flyers is certainly sweet, Holmgren is hoping for even bigger moments in the future.
"I think we’ll be in the playoff march again, but I think we have a lot of work to do," said Holmgren, whose team reached the Eastern Conference finals last season but fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins. "I feel very comfortable with the team, but, of course, we’re always looking to get better." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com