Greg Gilbert becomes the sixth head coach in Philadelphia Phantoms franchise history. (Graig Abel Photography)

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have named Greg Gilbert as the head coach of their American Hockey League affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms, according to club General Manager Paul Holmgren. He is the sixth head coach in Phantoms franchise history.

“We are pleased to add Greg to our organization as head coach of the Phantoms,” said Holmgren. “He has a wealth of coaching experience at many levels and has shown a unique ability to work well with younger players.”    

“I am very honored to be a part of the Philadelphia family and organization,” said Gilbert. “I am greatly looking forward to the opportunity to working with the young players in this organization. I am a patient coach. I have spent a lot of time working with young players and teaching them the game and helping them hone their skills and become better individuals. I am also looking forward to teaching them what it is like to be a part of a team and what the expectations and accountabilities are.”  

Gilbert, 47, joins the Phantoms after spending the previous three seasons as head coach of the Toronto Marlies, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate, where he compiled a 123-89-10-18 record, including a 39-29-5-7 mark in 2008-09. In just his second season as head coach of the Marlies, Gilbert finished the regular season with a 50-21-3-6 record and led the team to the Western Conference Finals of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

He also spent parts of three seasons as head coach of the Calgary Flames (2000-01 to 2002-03), where he compiled a 42-56-23 record in 121 games. Prior to his days in Calgary, Gilbert spent four seasons as head coach of the AHL’s Worcester IceCats (1996-97 to 1999-2000), compiling a 145-121-37-17 record in 320 regular season games, and was awarded the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as outstanding head coach in the AHL for the 1996-97 season. Overall, Gilbert has a career head coaching record of 268-210-47-35 in 560 games in the AHL.

In addition to his head coaching experience, Gilbert has appeared in over 800 games, over parts of 15 seasons (1981-82 to 1995-96) as a player in the National Hockey League. He was a member of three Stanley Cup Championship teams, helping lead the New York Islanders to the title in 1982 and 1983, while winning his third Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994.

Gilbert has recorded a total of 150 goals and 228 assists for 378 points and 576 penalty minutes in 837 regular season games with the Islanders (1981-82 to 1988-89), Chicago Blackhawks (1988-89 to 1992-93), Rangers (1993-94) and St. Louis Blues (1994-95 to 1995-96). He has also recorded 50 points (17G,33A) and 162 penalty minutes in 133 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Gilbert was originally selected by the Islanders in the fourth round (80th overall) in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft.