The Philadelphia Flyers are making some big moves to their Hockey Operations staff for the upcoming 2026-27 season, and it includes a familiar name for those of us who bleed M’s blue: Ryan Adkins, who spent the last three years keeping our guys healthy at T-Mobile Park, is now the Flyers’ Director of Athlete Rehabilitation. This isn’t just about shuffling roles, it’s a major overhaul in how teams are prioritizing player health and performance right from the start of the year.
The Rehab Squad Gets A Serious Upgrade
Adkins, who also worked with the Milwaukee Brewers before his time with our Mariners, is a key piece of Philadelphia’s new health strategy. He’s tasked with supporting player rehabilitation, recovery, and injury prevention, which is absolutely critical for any squad looking to stay competitive through a grueling season. This move signals a massive investment in keeping players on the ice. The Flyers also promoted Alex Ambrose to Head Athletic Trainer, after he served as Assistant for three seasons, meaning he’s the one coordinating the club’s sports medicine staff day to day. Zach Casinelli, who rocked it for five seasons in the AHL with the Charlotte Checkers, steps in as Assistant Athletic Trainer, working with Ambrose and acting as a Sports Medicine liaison for Lehigh Valley. And Melissa Rucker, a therapist for six seasons, got the bump to Head Massage Therapist. These aren’t minor tweaks; this is a full-court press on player longevity.
Next-Level Performance And Development Is Here
It doesn’t stop at just getting healthy, it’s about getting better. Abe Edson, who was an assistant strength and conditioning coach for Minnesota last year, is now the Head of Athlete Performance. He’s got stints in the ECHL and AHL, so he knows the grind. Joining him is Chris Gratton as a performance coach, fresh off three years with the Phantoms, where he was Head Strength and Conditioning Coach last year. He’ll be working closely with players and Edson, clearly focused on maximizing what these guys can do. And then there’s Lorne Goldenberg, stepping in as Performance Development Coach. This guy is a true veteran, over 40 years in the game, starting way back in 1986 with St. Louis and working with legendary teams like Montreal and Chicago. Goldenberg’s role is all about crafting individual training programs and performance oversight, ensuring every player hits their peak.
These significant staff changes, which all report to Vice President Daniel Bove, show that the Flyers are leaving no stone unturned as they prep for the 2026-27 season. Losing a talent like Ryan Adkins from our Mariners to this kind of an overhaul in Philly just screams how seriously teams are taking player health and development. It’s a wake-up call for how intense the early season will be, and how crucial every single staff position is to early team form and player performance.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Broad Street Hockey.
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