flyers media guide - Philadelphia Flyers

2012-13 philadelphia flyers
RON RYAN Consultant
Ron Ryan joined the Flyers as an executive vice president in 1988 and was named
the chief operating officer of the Flyers on July 1, 1991. He was promoted to team
president on June 13, 2003 and held the position until announcing his retirement on
May 25, 2006.
Ryan began his professional hockey career in 1973 when he became the head coach
of the WHA’s New England Whalers. He coached the team for two seasons, winning
divisional titles in both campaigns, before becoming the club’s general manager. He
held that position for two seasons, and then became the executive director of the
WHA in 1978. He administered the legal closing of the WHA in 1979-80, according
to the terms of the NHL expansion agreement which saw four WHA teams absorbed
into the NHL.
Following his time in the WHA, Ryan went into the cable television industry, taking a
position as president of PRISM New England in 1981. He served as vice president
and general manager of SportsChannel New England from 1983 to 1987 and in the
same capacity with SportsChannel Florida from 1987 until departing to resume his hockey career with the Flyers in 1988.
Ryan is a 1962 graduate of Colby College in Maine, where he was an All-American hockey player and led the nation in
scoring in 1962. He earned a masters degree in 1964 from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was the hockey
coach, and later coached and worked in the athletic departments at Merrimack College and Colgate University.
A native of Welland, Ontario, Ron has four children-son Doug and daughters Susan, Kaitland and Tenley.
Keith Allen Executive Vice President
Keith Allen is in his 47th year as a part of the Flyers organization. He joined the club
in 1966, one year prior to the franchise’s opening season.
Allen was the first head coach of the Flyers, leading the club behind the bench at
heir inception in 1967 and winning the West Division title that season. He coached
the team through the 1969-70 season. On December 22, 1969, Allen became the
general manager of the Flyers, and held that position until May 27, 1983. During his
tenure as GM, the Flyers won two Stanley Cups (1973-74 and 1974-75), reached the
Stanley Cup Final four times, and compiled a 563-322-194 record for a .612 winning
percentage. Allen built the two Stanley Cup teams through the acquisition of such
players as Barry Ashbee, Rick MacLeish, Bill Flett, Ross Lonsberry, Andre Dupont,
Reggie Leach, and the reacquisition of Bernie Parent through trades. He was also
responsible for drafting Bill Clement, Bob Kelly, Bill Barber, Tom Bladon, Jimmy
Watson, Paul Holmgren, Pete Peeters, Dave Brown, Ron Sutter, and Ron Hextall.
Some of his other draft choices include Brian Propp, Ken Linseman, and Pelle
Lindbergh. Also, he signed former Flyers Tim Kerr, Orest Kindrachuk, Bob Froese, and Dave Poulin as free agents and
acquired Mark Howe via trade.
On September 21, 1992, Allen was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, joining Ed Snider in the Builders category. He
was inducted into Flyers’ Hall of Fame in March 1989. Allen was also a recipient of the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1988
for outstanding service to hockey in the United States, was named The Hockey News’ NHL Executive of the Year in
1979-80 and was the first recipient of The Hockey News’ Minor League Executive of the Year Award in 1959-60 while
with the Seattle Totems of the WHL. Prior to joining the Flyers in 1966, Allen spent ten years as coach/GM/bookkeeper/
publicist for the Totems, leading them to the WHL title in 1958-59.
Allen spent 13 years as a pro hockey player, including parts of two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. He was a
member of the Wings’ 1953-54 Stanley Cup championship team.
Keith and his wife, Joyce, reside in Beach Haven Park, New Jersey and have three children: sons Brad and Blake and
daughter, Traci. The Allens have four grandchildren: Chelsea, Shay, Jillian, and Chase.
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