Riley Armstrong Promoted to Director of Player Development

New Asst. GM Alyn McCauley will oversee Lehigh Valley Phantoms

June 2, 2023

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS ANNOUNCE STAFF CHANGES TO HOCKEY OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT

The Philadelphia Flyers today announced the club has promoted Alyn McCauley to Assistant General Manager, Riley Armstrong to Director of Player Development and Nick Schultz to Assistant Director of Player Development, according to General Manager Daniel Briere.

“I’m excited to announce the promotions of Alyn, Riley and Nick,” said Briere. “These three have been around the organization for some time, in particular, with our current prospects and young players, so I know they will each provide the direction and leadership that is necessary to get our future assets to the NHL level.”

McCauley enters his seventh season with the Philadelphia Flyers, first as Assistant General Manager. In this role, he will oversee the Flyers pro scouting department and player personnel and Lehigh Valley’s hockey operations staff. He previously served as the team’s Director of Player Personnel since February of 2022. The former forward joined the Flyers in July of 2017 and spent four seasons as a pro scout (2018-22). Prior to joining Philadelphia, he spent nine seasons with the Los Angeles Kings as a pro scout beginning in 2009. He was a part of the staff that helped the Kings win the 2012 and 2014 Stanley Cup Championships.

McCauley played nine seasons in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs (1997-98 to 2002-03), San Jose Sharks (2002-06) and Los Angeles Kings (2006-07) where he recorded 69 goals and 97 assists for 166 points in 488 regular season games. He added 19 points (7-12=19) in 52 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, which included 15 points (5-10=15) in the 2002 Stanley Cup Playoffs to help the Maple Leafs reach the Eastern Conference Final.

Selected in the fourth round (79th overall) of the 1995 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils, McCauley played four years in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Ottawa 67’s where he recorded 284 points (119-165=284) in 208 games and was named CHL Player of the Year in 1997. Internationally, McCauley helped Canada win gold at the 1996 and 1997 IIHF World Junior Championships.

Armstrong enters his third season with the Flyers, sixth with Comcast Spectacor. As Director of Player Development, he is responsible for developing Flyers prospects and helping all the young players grow into the professional game as they develop in the AHL with Lehigh Valley. He previously served as an assistant coach for the Phantoms for the last two seasons (2021-23). The former winger joined Comcast Spectacor for the 2018-19 season as the first head coach for the Maine Mariners of the ECHL. He was then promoted to assistant general manager, working alongside Briere, for the 2019-20 season.

Prior to joining the Flyers, Armstrong served as an assistant coach for the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) for two seasons (2016-18). The native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, skated in 12 seasons (2004-16) of professional hockey including 404 career games in the AHL with Cleveland, Worcester, Abbotsford, Grand Rapids, Binghamton and Hamilton. He also played in two games with the San Jose Sharks and made his NHL debut on Nov. 29, 2008 at Arizona.

Schultz enters his fifth season with Philadelphia, first as Assistant Director of Player Development. In this role, he will work directly with Riley Armstrong, and assist in developing Flyers prospects and helping the young players grow into the professional game. He previously served as the club’s Player Development Coach for the last four seasons (2019-23).

Schultz recorded 175 points (30-145=175) in 1,069 career NHL games in 15 seasons (2001-17) with Minnesota, Edmonton, Columbus and Philadelphia. The left-shot blueliner skated in his 1,000th NHL game on Jan. 13, 2016 with the Flyers to become the 301st player (103rd defenseman) in NHL history to reach the milestone. The native of Strasbourg, Saskatchewan, also tallied two assists in 32 career Stanley Cup Playoff contests with the Wild, Blue Jackets and Flyers. He was drafted by Minnesota in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2000 NHL Draft and made his NHL debut on Oct. 14, 2001 against Edmonton.

In addition to today’s announcement, the Flyers have relieved Mike O’Connell, John Riley and Kjell Samuelsson of their duties.