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Flyers announce a series of changes to training and equipment staffs

The Flyers will have a new head athletic trainer and equipment manager in 2026-27, as Tommy Alva and John Peters are both no longer with the organization.

The Flyers announced a series of staffing changes on Wednesday.
The Flyers announced a series of staffing changes on Wednesday.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer

The Flyers report to Voorhees for training camp in just over two weeks, and there will be plenty of new faces around the rink.

On Wednesday, the Flyers announced a series of changes to their hockey operations staff both with the NHL club and the team’s American Hockey League affiliate in Lehigh Valley.

The most notable change is Alex Ambrose being promoted to head athletic trainer, a post held by Tommy Alva since 2022-23. A league source told The Inquirer that Alva was let go from the position. Ambrose, who has 10 years of experience, has served as the Flyers’ assistant athletic trainer for the past three seasons.

The Flyers also announced they have hired Zach Casinelli as an assistant athletic trainer. Casinelli most recently served as the head athletic trainer for the Florida Panthers’ American Hockey League affiliate in Charlotte.

» READ MORE: The Flyers are banking on internal improvements being enough in 2026-27. Here are five players they need to step up

Some of the other hires include Abe Edson, who was previously an assistant strength and conditioning coach with the Minnesota Wild for the past two seasons, as head of athlete performance; Jake Rogers, who will replace John Peters as the team’s new equipment manager; and former NHLer Dave Morrison (amateur scout).

The full list of hires is below:

  1. Alex Ambrose: Head athletic trainer

  2. Zach Casinelli: Assistant athletic trainer

  3. Melissa Rucker: Head massage therapist

  4. Abe Edson: Head of athlete performance

  5. Chris Gratton: Performance coach

  6. Lorne Goldenberg: Performance development coach

  7. Ryan Adkins: Director of athlete rehabilitation

  8. Jake Rogers: Equipment manager

  9. Dave Morrison: Amateur scout

  10. Kevin Braeunle: Manager of team services

  11. Joe Hurley: Head athletic trainer, Lehigh Valley Phantoms

  12. Evan Hanberry: Head strength and conditioning coach, Phantoms

  13. Gavin Bastarche: Assistant strength & conditioning Coach, Phantoms

  14. Jon Evans: Head equipment manager, Phantoms

  15. Liam Singer: Assistant equipment manager, Phantoms

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