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    Jonathan Bailey
    Jonathan Bailey
    Jun 27, 2025, 01:04
    Updated at: Jun 27, 2025, 02:45
    The Flyers apparently have added two new fight coaches to the organization. (Photo: Andre Petroski, Instagram)

    In an effort to draw back on the days of the Broad Street Bullies, the Philadelphia Flyers have enlisted UFC fighter Andre Petroski and MMA fighter and boxer Johnny Garbarino, two Philly locals, to give the Orange and Black some tips for when they drop the gloves.

    Petroski and Garbarino recently visited the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees, N.J., posing for a picture (above) posted to Instagram with Flyers GM Danny Briere, president Keith Jones, defense prospect Hunter McDonald, and, notably, Tyson Foerster.

    In a comment under the post, Garbarino wrote, "This Flyers season just got a whole lot better! Andre and I are officially your new Philadelphia Flyers Fight coaches!"

    Petroski, who hails from Springfield and boasts a 13-4 record in the UFC, later took to the "Tapout or Cashout" podcast to elaborate further.

    "Michkov... they were saying he needs to learn how to fight, he can't fight. I watch, and he fights a decent amount. He seems a little smaller, but he was in a couple of the fights," Petroski said of Matvei Michkov.

    The Flyers star never officially dropped the gloves in his rookie season, but, as we all know, Michkov was never afraid to trade crosschecks with opponents or discreetly bop people on the mouth during scrums.

    Who remembers when Michkov got into it with Macklin Celebrini? Or when Michkov and enforcer Givani Smith traded shoves before Erik Johnson stepped in and dropped the gloves?

    "[Nick] Deslauriers, he's the one big fighter. He's hurt right now, but we're going to train him, too. They said he's interested," Petroski added.

    After adding Trevor Zegras via trade just days ago, the Flyers are certainly finding unique ways to bring the excitement back to Philadelphia, even during a rebuild.

    It remains to be seen how much someone like Foerster, for example, can hone his fighting skills, but this would be right up McDonald's alley.

    Perhaps the biggest question is, will Michkov fight someone this season and make good use of Garbarino and Petroski's tutelage?