Ron Hextall promoted to Flyers GM

The Philadelphia Flyers shifted the balance of power in the front office in a big way Wednesday, promoting Ron Hextall to general manager and naming Paul Holmgren as team president.

Hextall, who played 11 of his 13 NHL seasons for the Flyers and remains the winningest goaltender in franchise history, rejoined the organization last June as assistant GM and director of hockey operations. 

He also served as GM of the Adirondack Phantoms, Philadelphia's AHL affiliate, and is assistant GM of Canada's entry at the 2014 IIHF world championship in Belarus.

Prior to returning to Philadelphia, Hextall spent seven seasons as assistant GM of the Los Angeles Kings, earning a Stanley Cup ring in 2012. 

The 50-year-old also held the title of GM of the AHL Manchester Monarchs during his tenure with Los Angeles.

"I'm extremely excited about this new opportunity to manage the Philadelphia Flyers," Hextall told reporters at Wednesday's media conference. 

"I look forward to working closely with Paul in our new hockey structure and working toward our ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup."

"Ron is one of the league's bright young stars on the management side and we're very fortunate to have him," Flyers chairman Ed Snider said. "He's had success in Los Angeles and will now put that experience to work for us as general manager. 

"We all remember the enthusiasm, work ethic and personality he had as a player and we're excited to watch him bring those qualities to building a team that will contend for the Stanley Cup."

Hextall previously worked in the Flyers front office following his retirement as an active player in 1999, rising through the ranks to become director of player personnel under then-GM Bob Clarke. 

Clarke was replaced as GM on Oct. 22, 2006, by Holmgren, who is being elevated to the position of team president vacated by Peter Luukko on Dec. 2, 2013.

"I'm excited about what's ahead for me," Holmgren said.

'Culture of winning'

Philadelphia posted a 286-162-62 record with Holmgren as its architect, reaching the Stanley Cup final in 2010 before bowing to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games. 

The Flyers haven't hoisted the Stanley Cup since 1975 and were eliminated by the New York Rangers in seven games in the first round of this year's playoffs. 

But Hextall, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as top playoff performer in 1987, pointed out they have reached the playoffs in 39 of their 46 seasons. 

"The culture of winning is nothing to be embarrassed about," Hextall said. "We should all be proud of this organization and what they've done.

"Short of winning the Stanley Cup, this organization has done everything. There's nothing anyone here won't do to win a Stanley Cup."