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PHILADELPHIA -- Derian Hatcher's tenure as an NHL defencemen ended Monday -- right around the time his coaching career began.
Hatcher announced his retirement -- ending a 17-year playing career
-- and was immediately named player development coach with
Philadelphia, where he spent the past four years. Hatcher takes over
the position from Eric Desjardins, another former Flyer who stepped down to pursue other interests.
"We are pleased to add Derian to our coaching staff in this very
important capacity," Flyers general manager Mike Holmgren said in a
statement. "Derian will spend valuable time with the young players
throughout our organization, working on their on-ice game as well as
helping these young players deal with the issues playing and/or
preparing to play professional hockey."
Hatcher missed the entire 2008-09 season with a serious knee injury
that eventually required replacement surgery, effectively ending his
career. Hatcher last played in 2007-08, scoring two goals and adding
five assists in 44 games.
"I wasn't sure what I wanted to do when Paul offered me this
position," Hatcher said. "It sounded like the perfect way to stay in
the game and see if I like it."
Hatcher, a first-round pick of the Minnesota North Stars in 1990,
finishes with 80 goals, 251 assists and 1,581 penalty minutes in 1,045
regular-season games with the North Stars/Dallas Stars, Detroit Red
Wings and Flyers. He was a member of the Stars team that won the 1999
Stanley Cup.
Hatcher announced his retirement -- ending a 17-year playing career
-- and was immediately named player development coach with
Philadelphia, where he spent the past four years. Hatcher takes over
the position from Eric Desjardins, another former Flyer who stepped down to pursue other interests.
"We are pleased to add Derian to our coaching staff in this very
important capacity," Flyers general manager Mike Holmgren said in a
statement. "Derian will spend valuable time with the young players
throughout our organization, working on their on-ice game as well as
helping these young players deal with the issues playing and/or
preparing to play professional hockey."
Hatcher missed the entire 2008-09 season with a serious knee injury
that eventually required replacement surgery, effectively ending his
career. Hatcher last played in 2007-08, scoring two goals and adding
five assists in 44 games.
"I wasn't sure what I wanted to do when Paul offered me this
position," Hatcher said. "It sounded like the perfect way to stay in
the game and see if I like it."
Hatcher, a first-round pick of the Minnesota North Stars in 1990,
finishes with 80 goals, 251 assists and 1,581 penalty minutes in 1,045
regular-season games with the North Stars/Dallas Stars, Detroit Red
Wings and Flyers. He was a member of the Stars team that won the 1999
Stanley Cup.
