The Philadelphia Flyers signed general manager Paul Holmgren to a three-year contract extension through the 2011-12 season on Monday.
''I am very proud of the job that Paul has done,'' Flyers Chairman Ed Snider said. ''He totally revamped our team and brought us back to respectability. I am positive he will continue to improve our team and to make sure that we are in contention for the Stanley Cup. He clearly was the general manager of the year this past season. He is truly deserving of this contract extension.''
In his first full season as general manager, Holmgren, guided the Flyers to the NHL's best turnaround, improving 39 points in the standings, and to a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. Since the NHL expanded the playoffs to four rounds, starting with the 1980 Playoffs, the 2007-08 Flyers were only the second team to finish with the worst record in the NHL one season and reach the third round of the playoffs the next season (Detroit Red Wings in 1987).
The 2007-08 Flyers were also the first team in 13 years to advance to the second round of the playoffs after finishing the previous season with the worst record in the league (San Jose Sharks in 1994).
''I am extremely excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Flyers organization through the 2011-12 season,'' said Holmgren. ''Mr. Snider and Peter Luukko have both been terrific in their support and I am honoured to be a part of this franchise. I am really thrilled beyond words.''
