Flyers fire head coach after dismal start

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- After a disappointing 1-6-1 start this season, the Philadelphia Flyers say head coach Ken Hitchcock has been fired.

In addition, the NHL team revealed Sunday that General Manager Bob Clarke has officially resigned, giving the task of announcing Hitchcock's successor, assistant coach John Stevens, to team chairman Ed Snider.

"I recognized myself that I hadn't been very good (as a general manager)," Clarke said of his decision. "The decisions that had to be made, I was letting other people make them. I deeply regret not being able to bring a Stanley Cup here. I didn't deliver. The team has to come first and I was letting the team down."

The team's decision to fire Hitchcock, who signed a new three-year contract in September, comes after the Philadelphia team's worst season start since the 1989-90 season.

During his more than three years with the Flyers, Hitchcock led the team to a 131-83-40 record, ranking him fourth in team history in coaching victories.