Flyers hire Keith Jones and Danny Brire in front office

Two months and a day after Danny Brire was named the Flyers’ interim general manager, he finally shed the interim tag and got a partner.

The Flyers announced Thursday that their recruiting process for two open front office positions has ended. They appointed former Flyer Keith Jones (1998-2000) as the new director of hockey operations and another former Brire player (2007-13) as full-time manager.

READ MORE: Flyers hire former player Keith Jones as director of hockey operations

The announcement comes three days after the NHL Draft Lottery decided the Flyers would pick No. 7 in June’s draft and a month before the NHL Association, where important draft evaluations are made.

The separation of the roles of general manager and director of hockey operations creates a new structure in the Flyers’ front office following the March 10 firing of Chuck Fletcher. He served as director and manager of hockey operations. In a press release, the Flyers explained what each role entails.

As general manager, Brire is responsible for all hockey decisions, such as signings, trades and draft picks. Brire also oversees scouting, player development and roster building. At the same time, Jones leads the strategic direction in all aspects of hockey operations and collaborates to achieve business goals.

Brire, a two-time All-Star as a player, has never held the title of GM outside of an interim job in an NHL front office in recent months. Jones has never worked in a hockey front office.

READ MORE: Danny Brires self-improvement has prepared him for his dream job with the Flyers

Since retiring, Brire has worked in various capacities in the Flyers organization, helping with everything from scouting to player development to leading Comcast Spectacor’s ECHL team, the Maine Mariners. With the Mariners, Brire managed the day-to-day operations of the organization, serving as president and governor.

Brire was on his way to the business side of hockey before a surprise call to interview for the Montreal Canadiens general manager job in 2021-22 changed his direction. Since then, he had been in the running to become an NHL general manager, initially serving as Fletcher’s special assistant before taking over as interim GM in March.

Dan Hilferty, chairman of Comcast Spectacor and a Flyers governor, said Brire brings a fresh perspective.

“After an impressive 17-year NHL career, he understands today’s game, today’s player and how to make smart hockey decisions as we navigate the future of both,” Hilferty said in a statement. Danny has undoubtedly proven himself to be the right person for the job and what we are trying to achieve.

Jones has been a radio and television broadcaster since 2002. He co-hosts the 94.1 WIP morning show with Angelo Cataldi and has served as Jim Jackson’s color commentator for NBC Sports Philadelphia. He also covers national games for Turner Sports, including this year’s playoffs.

Hilferty said Jones was selected after an extensive process he conducted himself; Valerie Camillo, CEO of Spectacor Sports & Entertainment; and help from the consulting company Modern Executive Solutions.

As a former player whose career ended in Philadelphia, Jonesy understands the value of creating chemistry and enabling leadership on a team, Hilferty said. He has extensive experience in talent analysis and evaluation, and he knows firsthand how important cooperation is on and off the ice, which is a key factor for us going forward.

Jones, who thanked Hilferty for the opportunity, described it as one of the most humbling and proud days of my life.

“To be able to lead this team back to the winning tradition that everyone knows it can and should be is a true honor and one I do not take lightly,” Jones said in a release. I consider the Philadelphia Flyers organization to be the gold of NHL and professional sports. I’ve seen how this city and these fans can rally around their team and nothing compares to that feeling.

The new era the Flyers ushered in began with the hiring of coach John Tortorella last June. The next step was Fletcher’s sacking in March, followed by the retirement of chairman and Flyers governor Dave Scotts later that month. Hilferty, who had already been named CEO of Comcast Spectacors, replaced Scott.

Now the Flyers’ new management team includes Hilferty as a governor. Camillo, their president on the corporate side, is the only one who has been in the role for more than a season. Jones and Brire are next in the hierarchy, followed by Tortorella.

Hilferty said Tortorella set the tone for this new era by setting the standard last season. Tortorella will continue to be the boss of the bench, and like most NHL head coaches, Hell will contribute to various management topics.

In building the front office, Hilferty said they are looking for leaders who bring unique skills, experience and temperament to maximize the group’s potential. Collaboration is key for Hilferty.

After a draft where the Flyers had a slim chance of landing a generational talent like Connor Bedard, Hilferty confirmed that this is a rebuilding process that will take time.

READ MORE: Danny Brire discusses rebuilding timeline, key veteran prospects and more in exit interview

“Our ultimate goal is to deliver them a championship,” Hilferty said. Achieving this goal will take time.

I have complete confidence that both Keith and Danny, along with Coach Tortorella, Valerie and I are the right management team to lead the Philadelphia Flyers. We are unanimously committed to rebuilding and maintaining a winning culture and doing it the right way.

The Flyers will introduce their new director of hockey operations and general manager on Friday at 11:30 a.m. This is the first time that Hilferty, Camillo, Jones, Brire and Tortorella will speak to the media together in their respective roles.

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