2010was a spring accented in orange as bumper stickers and window decals proudly displayed the Flyer’s logo and team flags cheering “Go Flyers!” fluttered from cars and porches alike. After such a rousing chase for the Stanley Cup last season and a mere margin of a miss, AAA South Jersey sat down with new coach Peter Lavio lette to get his take on the fans, the team and their practice facility—The Flyers Skate Zone.

Coming to the ice mid-season we were curious as to what influenced Lavio lette to choose Philadelphia and the Flyers.

I consider myself really fortunate because the Flyers chose me.”

In fact, for the Stanley Cup winning coach (Carolina Hurricanes 2005 - 2006), returning to the Northeast has proven a sort of homecoming.Growing up in Massachusetts, Laviolette was hitting the hockey puck around ponds at a young age.As a result, it was no surprise when He joined the hockey team as a business major at Westfield State College in his home state. What he did not expect though, was the turn his career took.

“When I chose to attend a Division 3 college, I never expected to play professional hockey; it wasn’t something I planned.”

But play and coach hockey he has done. After playing for and coaching an assortment of AHL, IHL and NHL teams as well as an Olympic team (Player in Lillehammer 1994 & Coach in Turin 2006), Laviolette now finds himself in the city of Brotherly Love and when asked about his success he answers humbly.

“I wake up every day and I’m thankful for where I am.”

While he hasn’t seen much of the SJ area yet he is making himself at home at the team’s training facility in Voorhees. The Flyers and now Laviolette have a unique relationship with their fans and that is at least partly because the Skate Zone allows open Viewing of team practices. When questioned the coach insists having fans watch the team practice is nothing short of an advantage for the guys.

“The fans are what drive the Flyers machine and it’s no secret how passionate they are about this team.”

In fact Laviolette says he’d heard of Philly fans’ fierce loyalty to their sports teams but what did surprise him was the support the team receives from people who normally aren’t sports fans.

“I think that accessibility really speaks volumes about the relationship between the team and the fans.”

Open practices are not the only way the team and the Skate Zone are involved in the community though.Specifically, Laviolette points to the Face-Off for Fitness Program and the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation.The former is a program the Flyers offer to elementary schools to promote an active lifestyle to kids. Armed with the goals of teaching kids the importance of making healthy food choices and exercising daily, Face-Off for Fitness “crashes” a gym class and breaks the kids down into groups where they run drills, jump rope and do sit ups and push ups.

The Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation, named in honor of Flyer’s owner Ed Snider, is geared for inner-city youth (ages 5-18) who without the Foundation would be unable to afford to play a sport. The kids are not only taught the game of hockey, but they also learn about the importance of fitness and education.Team members even drop in from time to time to encourage the kids and cheer them on.

On getting the next generation involved in the sport, Laviolette says, “I enjoy getting the chance to watch the younger kids develop their skills.It’s always incredible how quickly some of the kids can pick up on the sport and just skating in general.”

The Skate Zone isn’t just for pros; it’s also for the community to use. Offering a variety of hockey classes and clinics starting in mid-September, there are programs for all ages and skill levels. Skating fans can choose from a weekly clinic that teaches the fundamental skills of hockey, a weekly developmental class for kids ages 6 and under and two 20-game season leagues—one for skaters with some hockey experience and one for children 6 and under.

You would be mistaken if you thought skating was all the Skate Zone does though! It also hosts other community events including local professional wrestling shows, concerts, boxing and martial arts events and trade shows. Specifically, the Skate Zone proudly hosted the AAA South Jersey 2010 Travel Expo this past spring and is looking forward to welcoming the Travel Expo back in April 2011. Since the Skate Zone is a multi-use facility, it can get kind of hectic around there at times, but Laviolette insists that is a good thing.

When the building is busy, we usually find ourselves helping customers so we’re always working in one way or another!”

With Flyers training camp starting up in early September, Laviolette encourages fans to drop in as all of the events during training are open to the public and be sure to look for the Comcast Sports Net special, “Meet the Flyers.” Obviously fans and the media alike believe the Skate Zone and the Flyers are pretty special, but what does the coach think?

“When a team really cares for each other like the Flyers do anything is possible! We’re here to win—that’s what we do and that’s what we’re going to try to do again this season!”

When asked if he had any parting advice for young fans Laviolette did not even hesitate.

You should always be proud of what you do. If not, you’re cheating yourself and what you’re trying to accomplish. Never look back with regret.”

Well said coach. We’re looking forward to a great season too and we’ll see you at training camp!