With Ian Laperriere moving up to the big club to be an advisor for hockey operations, the Phantoms need a new head coach. And it appears that the Flyers are putting a big emphasis on making sure the entire coaching staff is in sync.
It goes with the thought that Danny Briere and the organization were looking for a new voice at the AHL level. They have trust and respect for Laperriere, hence his promotion to the Flyers' staff. But with a slew of top prospects on their way, there is importance in how they will be coached and developed.
While Laperriere helped guide the Phantoms back to the playoffs in recent years, the team hasn't had many prospects develop and grow to the NHL level lately. Laperriere wasn't always given a ton to work with, so it's not all his fault. But his decision-making at times played a role.
Regardless, the players that are likely to graduate to at least the AHL level are the ones that the Flyers will have a close eye on. Denver Barkey and Oliver Bonk have unfinished business at the Memorial Cup. They could turn pro, especially if they capture that elusive trophy. Carson Bjarnason is expected to be the Phantoms' starting goaltender.
There is a lot of interest in Nikita Grebenkin and what he could develop into. Alex Bump will be pushing hard for an NHL spot. But if he doesn't make it, his continued development will be one of the most important. There are others, showing the importance of having someone at the AHL level who has a proven track record.
There's one name that sticks out, and it's one who reportedly was interviewed for the Flyers' head coaching job.
Jay McKee's track record is a strong one
McKee has been a head coach at the junior level for nearly 10 years. He debuted with the Kitchener Rangers in 2016, where he coached the squad to a sixth-place finish in his first season. The following season, the Rangers were atop the standings in the Midwest Division, the first time they had done so since 2008. They made the playoffs in his first three seasons before he was fired early into the fourth year.
McKee's true success has come with the Hamilton/Brantford Bulldogs. In his first season, the Bulldogs posted an impressive 51-12-5 record, won the OHL Championship, and made it to the Memorial Cup Final. The team has found itself in a rebuild since, culminating with a move to Brantford in 2023. But the group has steadily improved over each of McKee's seasons.
Brantford was back on top of the division this season and boasted numerous players with over 100 points. Jake O'Brien is expected to be a top-10 pick after a career season. And while there are not many household names on McKee's roster, he has shown an ability to help elevate the talent that he does have.
The team just overhauled their scouting department, so there are questions about whether they would be willing to let McKee go. He has another year on his contract, and there's no knowledge of whether he has an out to take another job. But there's clearly interest in more, both with him and the Flyers.
With McKee's proven ability to take a struggling team and turn them into a contender, he should be a top choice for the Flyers and could help further develop the next crop of NHL prospects.