We’ve learned Ian Laperrière will not return to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. In four years as the head coach of the Phantoms, Laperrière finished with an overall 134-120-38, never finishing better than fifth in the Atlantic Division. However, Lehigh Valley did make the postseason in three of four seasons under the guidance of Laperrière.
“He [Laperrière] not only led the Phantoms in a return to the playoffs but provided crucial development to several of our prospects. I am excited to welcome him back to the Flyers so he can continue to provide his insight in helping our team as we enter the next phase of the rebuild.” – Daniel Brière; 5/27/25
Starting in 2025-2026, Laperrière will be a senior advisor to the Philadelphia Flyers. Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, Paul Holmgren, Dean Lombardi, and Bob Murray are a handful of senior advisors already included in the Flyers’ hockey personnel.
Lately, Laperrière included Jett Luchanko, Alex Bump, Hunter McDonald, Emil Andrae, and Nikita Grebenkin on his postseason roster. Andrae and Luchanko tied for the most assists on the team throughout the playoffs. Bump added a couple of goals. Grebenkin and McDonald checked well, keeping a physical pace against repeat champions like the Hershey Bears.
Who are some candidates to replace Laperrière? As the coaching staff in Philadelphia comes together, the same thing has to happen with the Phantoms. Could a hire come from within? Will the hire of Rick Tocchet project an outside hire in Lehigh Valley? A few names come to mind.
Jason Smith
Jason Smith was alongside Laperrière over the last four seasons with the Phantoms. If there is a candidate to keep the status quo, Smith is that internal hire.
This hire would maintain the status quo because Smith doesn’t ring the alarms of an outright change in Lehigh Valley. At the highest level, Smith formerly was an assistant coach with the Ottawa Senators from 2014-2016. Lately, Smith largely maintained the defensemen and penalty kill.
Smith is an internal candidate for the Phantoms’ head coach position, and though he’s a former Flyers captain, another current assistant coach in Lehigh Valley could be more valuable to the direction of the AHL affiliate.
John Snowden
John Snowden played for the Reading Royals of the ECHL in 2006-2007. Then, the Royals were a system affiliate to the Los Angeles Kings.
His only affiliation with Philadelphia is his last two seasons as an assistant coach for the Phantoms.
What’s crucial to consider is the trajectory of Lehigh Valley. Snowden does seem like a more successful option. He was promoted from assistant to head coach of the Newfoundland Growlers in 2018-2019, winning the ECHL Kelly Cup. After becoming the Director of Hockey Operations for the Growlers, he joined the Toronto Marlies as an assistant coach for two seasons before his contributions to the Phantoms.
Of the internal hires, Snowden seems safe. His previous time with the Marlies, a well-dressed AHL affiliate, says he would be the best-equipped internal hire to replace Laperrière. While Snowden would be an internal hire, he’s different from Smith because his experience admits a greater understanding of leading an AHL club as a bench boss.
Aaron Schneekloth
Aaron Schneekloth is the head coach of the Colorado Eagles. However, the Eagles employ Dan Hinote, too. He’s the associate head coach. That reads as if Hinote is next in line to become the head coach of AHL Colorado.
Schneekloth is a lifer with the Eagles. He was an assistant and head coach when the club was a part of the ECHL. Afterward, Schneekloth returned to the assistant role before becoming the head coach of AHL Colorado, replacing Greg Cronin after he became the ‘bench boss’ of the Anaheim Ducks.
If Hinote is the heir apparent, he’ll replace a two-time ECHL Kelly Cup winner. Schneekloth guided the Eagles in the right direction as a part of two different leagues. AHL Colorado lost in the Pacific Division Finals in five games to the Abbotsford Canucks, who are in the Western Conference Finals. A season ago, Schneekloth coached to a Pacific Division First Round loss. There’s a glaring improvement.
For an outside hire, Schneekloth could confidently lead Lehigh Valley, and if he departs from the Eagles, AHL Colorado is not left high and dry.
Tim Branham
Tim Branham has prior experience with Reading, like Snowden, but when the Royals affiliated with the Washington Capitals. He won the ECHL Kelly Cup, then joined the Utah Grizzlies as a head coach and general manager. Currently, he’s an assistant on Schneekloth’s coaching staff with the Eagles. A generous offer from the Flyers could potentially relocate Branham, who is now well-rooted in Colorado.
Branham has a powerful grasp of how to coach a team and front office experience. He’s a candidate who could confidently assume a head coach role for an AHL club, and the Phantoms fit the bill.
If Schneekloth remains with AHL Colorado and Hinote holds his placement, Branham is another great candidate from the wealth of a coaching staff the Eagles offer.
Nick Bootland
Nick Bootland might have the most outstanding track record of the three external head coach candidates explored in this article. He’s been the head coach and the Director of Hockey Operations of the Kalamazoo Wings since the IHL (2008-2009) and into the ECHL (2009-2022). Lately, he’s in his third season as an assistant coach with the Bears, swept in the Atlantic Division Finals in pursuit of three straight AHL Calder Cups. Hershey is the most recent staple of excellence in the AHL.
Bootland would be a direct shot at the Bears. Lehigh Valley was eliminated in the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs by Hershey in the last two postseasons. A 13-year dual run as the head coach and Director of Hockey Operations with the Wings before joining a coaching staff that won consecutive Calder Cups makes Bootland a more than qualified candidate to direct the Phantoms.
Of the external names on this list, Bootland seems like the hardest sell due to his playing history with the Bears. Lehigh Valley would need a very intriguing pitch and offer to pull Bootland out of Hershey.
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