The Philadelphia Flyers have officially completed their coaching staff ahead of the 2025–26 NHL season, announcing the hiring of Jaroslav Svejkovsky and Jay Varady as assistant coaches.
General manager Daniel Briere made the announcement on Thursday, confirming that both will join newly appointed head coach Rick Tocchet behind the bench.
Svejkovsky arrives in Philadelphia with a strong existing connection to Tocchet, having served under him most recently as an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks.
The Czech-born coach played a key role in the Canucks’ successful 2023–24 campaign, which culminated in a Pacific Division title. His background also includes time as a skills coach for both the Canucks and their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford, as well as a lengthy tenure with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants. Prior to his coaching career, Svejkovsky played parts of four NHL seasons with the Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Varady also brings a well-established rapport with Tocchet, having served as his assistant during the 2020–21 season with the Arizona Coyotes. Following that, he spent time as head coach of the Coyotes’ AHL affiliate in Tucson before joining the Detroit Red Wings’ coaching staff, where he spent three seasons before being released this offseason as part of a broader staff restructuring.
Varady’s résumé includes significant international experience as well, having contributed to USA Hockey programs. Notably, he served as a video coach for the gold medal-winning U.S. team at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship and as an assistant at the 2011 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
The addition of Svejkovsky and Varady marks the completion of a revamped Flyers coaching staff, as the franchise looks to usher in a new era of competitiveness under Tocchet’s leadership.
