Jay Varady

Jay Varady (born September 16, 1977) is an American former ice hockey player and current assistant coach for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Prior to joining the NHL coaching ranks, Varady coached the Sioux City Musketeers in the United States Hockey League (USHL), the Kingston Frontenacs in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and the Tucson Roadrunners in the American Hockey League (AHL). He played college ice hockey for the Union Dutchmen.

Early life and education Varady grew up in St. Louis and played midget hockey in Chicago for the Chicago Young Americans. He graduated to the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League (USHL) for two years before entering Union College. At Union, he played three seasons with their Division I hockey team from 1997 to 2000 before joining the coaching staff after a critical neck injury. Prior to his injury, Varady served as team captain for the 1999–00 season.

Coaching career After graduation, Varady coached the Chicago U16 AAA Team for the 2001 season.

Varady stayed with the Silvertips until 2010, when he took two years off to coach in France's Ligue Magnus. Upon his return to North America, Varady took over the Sioux City Musketeers, where he helped lead them to a 136-88-16 record during his coaching seasons. As a result, Varady was awarded the 2017 USHL Coach of the Year Award. He was also selected by Team USA to coach their 2016 World Junior A Challenge team.

In 2018, Varady was named head coach of the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League (AHL), the affiliate of the Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League. In his second season as coach in Tucson, the Roadrunners were named the division champions when the season was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the postponed start of the 2020–21 season, Varady joined the Coyotes' staff as an assistant coach. In his two seasons as head coach, Tucson held a 70–45–6–5 record. Once the abbreviated AHL season was complete, he returned to Tucson on a three-year contract as head coach beginning with the 2021–22 season. He led the Roadrunners to a 93–84–11–6 record in four seasons.

On July 18, 2022, Varady was named assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings for the 2022–23 season.

After three seasons in Detroit, Varady was hired as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia Flyers on June 5, 2025.

Personal life Varady married Joy, a nurse practitioner.

Coaching record American Hockey League

Ontario Hockey League Team Year Regular season Postseason G W L OTL Pts Finish ResultKingston Frontenacs2017-186836239812nd in EastWon in conference quarter-finals (4-1 vs. NB) Won in conference semi-finals (4-2 vs. BAR) Lost in conference finals (1-4 vs. HAM)Kingston totals2017–20186836239810 Division Titles9–7 (0.563)

United States Hockey League Team Year Regular season Postseason G W L OTL Pts Finish ResultSioux City Musketeers2013-146038193793rd in WesternWon in conference semi-finals (3-1 vs. OMA) Lost in conference finals (1-3 vs. WAT)Sioux City Musketeers2014-156038175811st in WesternLost in conference semi-finals (2-3 vs. SF)Sioux City Musketeers2015-166020391418th in WesternDid not qualifySioux City Musketeers2016-176040137871st in WesternWon in conference semi-finals (3-0 vs. DM) Won in conference finals (3-2 vs. WAT) Lost in Clark Cup finals (2-3 vs. CHI)Sioux City totals2013–201724013688162882 Conference Titles14–12 (0.538)

Ligue Magnus Team Year Regular season Postseason G W OTW L OTL Pts Finish ResultDucs d'Angers2011-122614282345th in LeagueWon in preliminary round (3-0 vs. CAE) Lost in quarter-finals (1-3 vs. BRI)Ducs d'Angers2012-132621-23451st in LeagueWon in quarter-finals (3-2 vs. LOU) Won in semi-finals (3-1 vs. EPI) Lost in finals (3-4 vs. ROU)Ducs d'Angers totals2011–201352352105791 Division Title13–10 (0.565)