Just because Chris Stewart retired as an active player in the NHL does not mean he has severed his relationship with the game. As of today, the Philadelphia Flyers brought Stewart on board as a player development coach for the franchise. Chuck Fletcher made the announcement, one day removed after Stewart retired as a player.
Chris Stewart’s impact with the Flyers
Over the 2019-2020 season, Chris Stewart was a leader in the Philadelphia Flyers locker room. Many of the younger talents gravitate towards Stewart and his professionalism. That is what is special about this hire. Chuck Fletcher selected a leader that he knew his current roster more than appreciated. For the Flyers, it’s about relating to the core players that will carry the franchise for the better part of the next decade.
Chris Stewart is a thirteen-year journeyman in the sport of ice hockey. He has endured many peaks and valleys throughout his long career. Not one time has Stewart’s momentum been stopped due to any challenge. He faced them head-on and ended his career with a team that made the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. Part of the reason why the locker room is so tight-knit is because of the positivity players like Stewart present.
The term “tight-knit” has been a buzzword that the Philadelphia Flyers players have touted very often during the 2019-2020 regular season. From head coach Alain Vigneault to new a new Flyer such as Kevin Hayes to a Philadelphia veteran like Sean Couturier and Chris Stewart, the franchise holds each other close. On a grand scale, it’s a testament to the Flyers being one of the few teams in Philadelphia on the same page.
The right fit
Outside of the game, Chris Stewart is a founding member of the Hockey Diversity Alliance. His contributions to the sport of ice hockey expand past his role in developing the Philadelphia Flyers players. Stewart is spearheading his role in demanding equality and making sure the sport is for everyone. That kind of leadership starts in one locker room and exponentially grows across the league.
Upon this hire, Chris Stewart joins Brett Hextall, John Riley, Kjell Samuelsson, and Nick Schultz on the Philadelphia Flyers player development staff. Congratulations on a successful career, “Stewy,” and welcome to your new role with the Flyers!
Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire
