The Philadelphia Flyers have made three additions to their hockey operations staff, appointing Nick Schultz as a player development coach, Andy Rannells as assistant equipment manager and Dan Warnke as assistant strength and conditioning coach, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Chuck Fletcher.

"We're happy to have Nick come aboard and help develop the prospects in our system," said Fletcher. "Having enjoyed a lengthy career in which he played over 1,000 games as a defenseman in the NHL, Nick brings a wealth of experience and knowledge on what it takes to be a pro."

"It's exciting," said Schultz. "I'm looking forward to working with the guys, helping Kjell Samuelsson with the defensemen, and getting to know the kids and their game a little bit. I'm looking forward to working with them throughout the year, watching them play and helping them make it to the next step, and ultimately one day become a Flyer."

Schultz concluded a 15-year, 1,069-game NHL career in 2017, the last three seasons of which he spent with the Flyers. The 6-1, 203-lb defenseman averaged 19:04 of ice time over his career, which included 30 goals and 145 assists for 175 points. Schultz currently ranks third among his draft class in career games played, trailing only Justin Williams and Scott Hartnell.

Schultz was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, and went on to appear in 743 games for the Wild before being traded to Edmonton at the 2012 trade deadline. He played 128 games with the Oilers over parts of three seasons before moving in another deadline deal, this time to Columbus in March of 2014. Schultz then signed with Philadelphia as a free agent on July 2, 2014 and went on to appear in 189 games over three seasons. Highlights of his Flyers career included his 1,000th career game on January 13, 2016 and his nomination by the Philadelphia chapter of the PHWA for the Masterton Trophy in the 2014-15 season.

Rannells and Warnke both come to the Flyers from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Rannells has been the Phantoms' equipment manager for the past five seasons, handling all player equipment needs. Warnke has been overseeing the Phantoms' strength and conditioning program for the past three seasons.