PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The Philadelphia Flyers on Friday selected John Tortorella for his vacancy as coach, the last veteran in charge of stopping the Stanley Cup drought for 47 years.
Tortorella, who turns 64 next week, coached in Tampa Bay for a championship in 2004, and also coached the New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks. He was fired in May 2021 after six seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher said Tortorella “demands the best from his players in every game.”
“During the interview process we discussed a number of factors that are crucial to the immediate success of this team and it became clear to me that their vision and style make them the right person to restore a winning environment to the our dressing room, ”Fletcher said.
Tortorella is the Flyers’ sixth coach in the last 10 years, and will try to revitalize an inactive franchise that has only one win in the playoff series since 2012. The Flyers finished with a 25-46-11 record this season with Alain Vigneault and Mike Yeo. and were the last in the Metropolitan Division.
“From my first conversation with Chuck, I knew it was the right one for me and I believe in the direction this team is going,” Tortorella said. “Having faced the Flyers for several years, I know first hand how tough a city is. Philly will play and I hope to be on the right side of the bench on opening night in front of such a loyal and passionate crowd of Flyers fans. “.
Tortorella is the second most successful American coach in NHL history. He is known for his occasional temperament and demanding and senseless coaching style, and has faced his share of players over the years.
Tortorella is 673-541-37-132 for almost 20 seasons. He emerged as the new coach of a large number of candidates that included former Washington and Islanders coach Barry Trotz. Tortorella is only 56-64 in the playoffs with six first-round picks.
Tortorella worked this season for ESPN as part of his studio coverage.
The Flyers last played in the 2010 Stanley Cup final. They have not won a championship since the consecutive Stanley Cup in 1974 and 1975.
“This is a critical time for our franchise, and Chuck has made a good selection of John Tortorella as the next head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers,” said Flyers president Dave Scott. “John embodies the values of this franchise and city, hard work, courage and determination, and I’m excited to be able to work with our team right away.”
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