The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have relieved Joe Paterson of his duties as head coach of their American Hockey League affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms, according to general manager Paul Holmgren.  No successor has been named at this time. 

"As an organization, we feel the Phantoms need a new voice moving forward," Holmgren said.  "We would like to thank Joe for his hard work and service to the Phantoms over the past season and a half, but we feel a new direction is needed at this time."

Paterson, a former Flyer, was named the head coach of the Phantoms on December 20, 2010.  This past season, he led the club to a 37-35-2-2 record as the team finished five points out of a playoff spot in a tightly-contested Eastern Conference of the AHL. 

In 125 games behind the Phantoms bench over the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, Paterson posted a record of 62-51-4-8.