Flyers officially hire Rick Wilson, will start Wednesday

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VOORHEES, N.J. — Dave Hakstol is bringing Rick Wilson out of retirement to coach the Flyers' blue line.

The team made the announcement official Tuesday as the 68-year-old Wilson is expected to join the team for Wednesday’s practice. Wilson’s résumé is quite extensive, having played at the University of North Dakota from 1969-72 (see story).

He had a brief NHL career in which his final stop was with the Philadelphia Firebirds in 1975.

This will be Wilson’s first coaching job since stepping down from the position of associate coach with the Dallas Stars last season. So what exactly does Wilson bring to the Flyers' organization?

“A wealth of experience,” Hakstol said. “A tremendous feel for defensemen and the entire D core, an ability to communicate very, very well. I think he’ll have a great effect on our entire group, as well as our coaching staff with the experience that he has.”

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