Wayne Simmonds finds a new job in the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers
Wayne Simmonds is making a return to the NHL, but not as a player. The Philadelphia Flyers have just hired him in the role of hockey operations.
Wayne Simmonds, a beloved former Flyer, has taken on another official role with the organization, just several months after retiring as a Philadelphia Flyer through a one-day contract. He now takes on the position as the Flyers' community relations ambassador and a hockey operations consultant, a way to extend his impact in the sport beyond just the ice.
The Flyers made Wayne Simmonds one of seven new hires to the hockey operations staff, which was announced on Friday, a first step toward bolstering their roster on and off the ice.
Joining Wayne Simmonds is another former Flyer, Reid Simpson, who returns to the organization as the director of pro scouting in Europe.
Wayne Simmonds, who retired in March, was honored by the Flyers in a pre-game ceremony before their April 13th game against the New Jersey Devils, one of his many stops throughout his career. He was a fan favorite in Philadelphia because of his rare combination of toughness and scoring. Throughout eight seasons with the Flyers, he collected 203 goals in 584 games, reached 20+ goals six times, and boasted a career-best 32 goals in the 2015-16 season.
Wayne Simmonds originally came to Philadelphia in 2011 via a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Kings that sent Mike Richards to L.A. and Jeff Carter to the Columbus Blue Jackets. His time with the Flyers made him one of the team's most impactful players of the decade.
With his new roles, the legacy of Wayne Simmonds continues to grow, this time in shaping the future of hockey for the next generation of Flyers.
Source: ESPN
Wayne Simmonds Stats
| POLL | ||
Will you miss seeing Wayne Simmonds on the ice? | ||
| Yes | 100 | 46.3 % |
| No | 116 | 53.7 % |
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