Six things to know about Rick Tocchet, the Flyers' next head coach
The Flyers, who missed the playoffs for the fifth straight season and finished 29th in the NHL, parted ways with John Tortorella on March 27. Rick Tocchet, who parted ways with Vancouver after two-plus seasons as coach, is expected take his place. Here are five things to know about the Flyers' next bench boss.
The Flyers, who missed the playoffs for the fifth straight season and finished 29th in the NHL, parted ways with John Tortorella on March 27. Rick Tocchet, who parted ways with Vancouver after two-plus seasons as coach, is expected take his place. Here are five things to know about the Flyers' next bench boss.
1. A Flyers Hall of Famer
Drafted in the sixth round in 1983, Tocchet went on to score 232 goals in Orange and Black. The Flyers Hall of Famer was a fan favorite beloved for his toughness on the ice — he still holds the team record for most penalty minutes (1,815).
1. A Flyers Hall of Famer
Drafted in the sixth round in 1983, Tocchet went on to score 232 goals in Orange and Black. The Flyers Hall of Famer was a fan favorite beloved for his toughness on the ice — he still holds the team record for most penalty minutes (1,815).
2. 'Operation Slapshot'
In 2007, Tocchet pleaded guilty to running a nationwide sports gambling ring based in New Jersey, following an investigation known as “Operation Slapshot.” Prosecutors said the ring handled $1.7 million in wagers in a 40-day stretch.
2. 'Operation Slapshot'
In 2007, Tocchet pleaded guilty to running a nationwide sports gambling ring based in New Jersey, following an investigation known as “Operation Slapshot.” Prosecutors said the ring handled $1.7 million in wagers in a 40-day stretch.
More alarming for the NHL was that the ring allegedly included several active players. Tocchet was sentenced to two years probation and took a leave of absence from the NHL that also lasted two years. As part of Tocchet's reinstatement to the league, commissioner Gary Bettman said Tocchet was to stop all forms of gambling.
More alarming for the NHL was that the ring allegedly included several active players. Tocchet was sentenced to two years probation and took a leave of absence from the NHL that also lasted two years. As part of Tocchet's reinstatement to the league, commissioner Gary Bettman said Tocchet was to stop all forms of gambling.
3. Connections to Flyers' brass
Tocchet played three seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes, where he was teammates with Flyers GM Danny Brière. During his time with the Flyers, Tocchet was also teammates with Keith Jones, now the team's president.
3. Connections to Flyers' brass
Tocchet played three seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes, where he was teammates with Flyers GM Danny Brière. During his time with the Flyers, Tocchet was also teammates with Keith Jones, now the team's president.
4. Coaching experience
Tocchet was an assistant in Colorado, Phoenix, and Tampa Bay before taking over the Lightning in 2008. In 2014, he was hired as an assistant in Pittsburgh, where he won two Cups in three years under Mike Sullivan.
4. Coaching experience
Tocchet was an assistant in Colorado, Phoenix, and Tampa Bay before taking over the Lightning in 2008. In 2014, he was hired as an assistant in Pittsburgh, where he won two Cups in three years under Mike Sullivan.
In 2017, Tocchet was named coach in Arizona, but the Coyotes would make just one playoff appearance in four seasons. After taking over Vancouver in the middle of the 2022-23 season, he won the Jack Adams Award the next season as the NHL's top coach. This past season, Vancouver missed the playoffs amid major roster turmoil.
In 2017, Tocchet was named coach in Arizona, but the Coyotes would make just one playoff appearance in four seasons. After taking over Vancouver in the middle of the 2022-23 season, he won the Jack Adams Award the next season as the NHL's top coach. This past season, Vancouver missed the playoffs amid major roster turmoil.
5. Three Stanley Cup rings
During Tocchet’s time as an assistant with Pittsburgh, he led one of the league’s top power plays and won two Stanley Cup rings. He now has three Stanley Cup rings, two as a coach and one as a player. All three came with the Penguins.
5. Three Stanley Cup rings
During Tocchet’s time as an assistant with Pittsburgh, he led one of the league’s top power plays and won two Stanley Cup rings. He now has three Stanley Cup rings, two as a coach and one as a player. All three came with the Penguins.
6. TV analyst
After coaching in Tampa Bay, Tocchet was a Flyers postgame analyst for NBC Sports Philadelphia alongside Michael Barkann, Al Morganti, Bill Clement, and Steve Coates. In 2021, he joined TNT’s hockey coverage as a studio analyst.
6. TV analyst
After coaching in Tampa Bay, Tocchet was a Flyers postgame analyst for NBC Sports Philadelphia alongside Michael Barkann, Al Morganti, Bill Clement, and Steve Coates. In 2021, he joined TNT’s hockey coverage as a studio analyst.