Rick Tocchet
Tocchet (right) in 2014
Born (1964-04-09) April 9, 1964
Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 214 lb (97 kg; 15 st 4 lb)
Position Right wing
Shot Right
Played for Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Los Angeles Kings
Boston Bruins
Washington Capitals
Phoenix Coyotes
Current NHL coach Vancouver Canucks
Coached for Tampa Bay Lightning
Arizona Coyotes
National team  Canada
NHL Draft 121st overall, 1983
Philadelphia Flyers
Playing career 1984–2002
Coaching career 2002–present

Richard Tocchet (/tɔːkət/ TAW-kət; born April 9, 1964) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He is the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Playing as a right winger, he played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, and Phoenix Coyotes. He was the head coach of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning for two seasons and the Arizona Coyotes for four seasons. During the 2010 playoffs, he was an analyst on Flyers Postgame Live on Comcast SportsNet. In 2021, he became a studio analyst for the NHL on TNT.

Playing career

Tocchet was born in the Toronto suburb of Scarborough, Ontario. As a youth, Tocchet played in the 1977 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Toronto.[1]

After being drafted in the sixth round (121st overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft, Tocchet returned to the OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for another year of junior hockey. After registering 108 points with Sault Ste. Marie, Tocchet came to the Flyers for the 1984–85 season, scoring 39 points and helping the team to the Stanley Cup Finals. He was mainly known as a fighter in his early career, but soon developed his skills enough to become a respected power forward, a team leader and a four-time NHL All-Star. He had memorable fights with other power forwards such as Wendel Clark and Cam Neely. He had 18 Gordie Howe hat tricks during his career, which is the most in NHL history.[2]

In 1992, Tocchet was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, along with Kjell Samuelsson and Ken Wregget, in exchange for Mark Recchi. In 14 playoff games, he scored 19 points, helping the Penguins repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

Tocchet became a well-travelled veteran in the league after his stint with the Penguins, taking roles with the Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, and Phoenix Coyotes. He was dealt along with Adam Oates and Bill Ranford from the Bruins to the Capitals for Anson Carter, Jason Allison, Jim Carey, a third-round selection in the 1997 draft (63rd overall–Lee Goren) and a conditional second-round pick in the 1998 draft in a blockbuster deal on March 1, 1997.[3] Both Tocchet and Carter would work together as studio analysts with the NHL on TNT nearly a quarter of a century later beginning in 2021.[4] Tocchet became an unrestricted free agent on June 15, 1997 and signed a three-year contract with the Phoenix Coyotes 23 days later on July 8.[5][6] After returning to the Flyers in a trade that sent Mikael Renberg to the Coyotes on March 8, 2000,[7] he added 11 points en route to an Eastern Conference Finals berth. Tocchet retired after the 2001–02 season, being one of several players in NHL history to collect 400 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes including Brendan Shanahan and Gary Roberts.

Coaching career

Tocchet became an assistant coach for the Colorado Avalanche in 2002–03. In the summer of 2005, he became an assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes. On December 17, 2005, Tocchet took over as interim head coach for Phoenix, stepping in while head coach Wayne Gretzky was out on an indefinite leave of absence due to his mother's illness (and subsequent death). The team went 2–3–0 under Tocchet. Gretzky eventually resumed his duties on December 28.

Tocchet and the Penguins celebrating their 2017 Stanley Cup win in Nashville.

Tocchet was named as the associate coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 9, 2008.[8] On November 14, he was named the interim head coach of the Lightning, replacing Barry Melrose who was fired two days earlier after compiling a 5–7–4 record.[9] Tocchet lost his first game to the Carolina Hurricanes in a shootout.[10] Tocchet's first win came two games later on November 21 against the Nashville Predators.[11] However, he would go on to lose his next nine games, and twelve of the next thirteen. On May 11, 2009 Tocchet had the interim tag removed and was signed to a two-year deal by the Lightning.[12] On April 12, 2010 he was relieved of his coaching duties by the new ownership of the Tampa Bay Lightning. On June 25, 2014, he was hired by the Pittsburgh Penguins to be an assistant coach. On June 12, 2016, Tocchet won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins. He won his second Stanley Cup as a coach on June 11, 2017, when the Penguins defeated the Nashville Predators in six games.

On July 11, 2017, Tocchet was named head coach for the Arizona Coyotes.[13] On February 29, 2020, Tocchet earned his 100th win as head coach of the Coyotes in a 5–2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.[14] At the conclusion of the 2020–21 season, Tocchet and the Coyotes mutually agreed to part ways.[15][16]

On January 22, 2023, Tocchet was named head coach of the Vancouver Canucks to replace Bruce Boudreau.[17]

Analyst

After leaving Tampa Bay, Tocchet served alongside Michael Barkann, Al Morganti, Bill Clement, and Steve Coates as a Flyers Postgame Live panelist on Comcast SportsNet.

He joined TNT's hockey coverage in 2021 as a studio analyst.[18][19]

Gambling incident

On February 6, 2006, Tocchet was served with a criminal complaint, accused of financing a nationwide sports gambling ring based in New Jersey in which several current NHL players wagered.[20] The ring was discovered by New Jersey state police, in the undercover investigation Operation Slapshot. "It's not a hockey-related issue, it's a football thing. And at this time I can't comment any further," Tocchet told The Arizona Republic after the Coyotes practiced on February 7. The following day, Tocchet requested a leave of absence from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, which was granted with a number of conditions including that Tocchet was to have no contact with NHL personnel, that the leave of absence would not end without Bettman's consent and that the Commissioner reserved the right to modify the terms of the leave of absence at any time. On May 8, attorneys for Tocchet and Gretzky's wife Janet Jones filed notices in New Jersey that they intended to sue the state for $50 million each for defamation. Both Tocchet and Jones claimed to have lost business opportunities in the wake of the state's investigation, which had sullied their reputations.[21] On August 3, former New Jersey state trooper James Harney pleaded guilty to conspiracy, promoting gambling, and official misconduct, and promised to help authorities with their case against Tocchet and others. Harney said that he and Tocchet were 50–50 partners in the betting ring.[22]

On May 25, 2007, Tocchet pleaded guilty to conspiracy and promoting gambling. New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram announced on August 17, that Tocchet had been sentenced to two years probation in exchange for his plea. He could have received up to five years in New Jersey state prison, but there was a presumption against incarceration for first-time offenders who plead guilty to such crimes.[23]

The NHL subsequently issued a statement from Gary Bettman, but his spokesman would not answer questions, including if Tocchet had a future in ice hockey.[24] In late 2007, Bettman issued another statement indicating that Tocchet would not be eligible to return to the league until February 7, 2008. In addition to the initial criminal conduct, the Commissioner cited a number of aggravating factors including repeated illicit contact with NHL personnel and Tocchet's participation in the World Series of Poker to justify imposing a de facto two year suspension.

During a press conference on February 6, 2008, it was announced that Tocchet would be reinstated and would serve as assistant coach the next day, exactly two years after taking the leave of absence.[25] Among other conditions of his reinstatement, Tocchet was ordered by Bettman to abstain from all forms of gambling.

Awards

Records

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1980–81 St. Michael's Midget Buzzers MTHL 41 28 46 74 — — — — — —
1980–81 St. Michael's Buzzers MetJHL 5 1 1 2 2 — — — — —
1981–82 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 59 7 15 22 184 11 1 1 2 28
1982–83 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 66 32 34 66 146 16 4 13 17 67
1983–84 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 64 44 64 108 209 16 22 14 36 41
1984–85 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 75 14 25 39 181 19 3 4 7 72
1985–86 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 69 14 21 35 284 5 1 2 3 26
1986–87 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 69 21 28 49 288 26 11 10 21 72
1987–88 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 65 31 33 64 299 5 1 4 5 55
1988–89 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 66 45 36 81 183 16 6 6 12 69
1989–90 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 75 37 59 96 196 — — — — —
1990–91 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 70 40 31 71 150 — — — — —
1991–92 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 42 13 16 29 102 — — — — —
1991–92 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 19 14 16 30 49 14 6 13 19 24
1992–93 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 80 48 61 109 252 12 7 6 13 24
1993–94 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 51 14 26 40 134 6 2 3 5 20
1994–95 Los Angeles Kings NHL 36 18 17 35 70 — — — — —
1995–96 Los Angeles Kings NHL 44 13 23 36 117 — — — — —
1995–96 Boston Bruins NHL 27 16 8 24 64 5 4 0 4 21
1996–97 Boston Bruins NHL 40 16 14 30 67 — — — — —
1996–97 Washington Capitals NHL 13 5 5 10 31 — — — — —
1997–98 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 68 26 19 45 157 6 6 2 8 25
1998–99 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 81 26 30 56 147 7 0 3 3 8
1999–2000 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 64 12 17 29 67 — — — — —
1999–2000 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 16 3 3 6 23 18 5 6 11 49
2000–01 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 60 14 22 36 83 6 0 1 1 6
2001–02 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 14 0 2 2 28 — — — — —
NHL totals 1,144 440 512 952 2,972 145 52 60 112 471

International

Year Team Event   GP G A Pts PIM
1987 Canada CC 7 3 2 5 8
1990 Canada WC 10 4 2 6 14
1991 Canada CC 8 1 1 2 10
Senior totals 25 8 5 13 32

Head coaching record

TeamYearRegular seasonPostseason
GWLOTLPtsFinishWLWin%Result
TBL2008–09 66193314(52)5th in Southeast———Missed playoffs
TBL2009–10 82343612804th in Southeast———Missed playoffs
ARI2017–18 82294112708th in Pacific———Missed playoffs
ARI2018–19 8239358864th in Pacific———Missed playoffs
ARI2019–20 70*33298745th in Pacific45.444Lost in First Round (COL)
ARI2020–21 5624266545th in West———Missed playoffs
VAN2022–23 3620124(44)6th in Pacific———Missed playoffs
Total47419821264  45.4441 playoff appearance
  • Shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2019–20 season. Playoffs were played in August 2020 with a different format.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  2. 1 2 The Gordie Howe Hat Trick, The Hockey Writers
  3. ↑ "Bruins deal disgrunted Oates and two others in blockbuster deal". AP News. March 2, 1997. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  4. ↑ Clarke, Mary (September 30, 2021). "TNT's NHL broadcast is already more fun than NBC's ever was, growing pains and all". For The Win. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  5. ↑ Alex, Rachel (June 17, 1997). "With Tocchet gone, Capitals go forward". Washington Post. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Coyotes Pick Up Tocchet". The New York Times. July 9, 1997. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Flyers, Coyotes work trade". UPI. March 8, 2000. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Lightning Name Tocchet, Walz, Raeder Assistant Coaches". NHL.com. July 9, 2008. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach Barry Melrose Relieved Of His Duties". NHL.com. November 14, 2008. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Tocchet loses debut as Ruutu, Brind'Amour goals down Lightning in SO". ESPN. November 16, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Lecavalier's two goals help Lightning snap five-game losing streak". ESPN. November 21, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Lightning signs Tocchet to multi-year deal". NHL.com. May 11, 2009. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  13. ↑ Vest, Dave (July 11, 2017). "Tocchet Likes Fit with Coyotes". NHL.com. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Keller scores twice in Coyotes' 5-2 win over Sabres". ESPN. February 29, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Arizona Coyotes and Head Coach Rick Tocchet Agree to Part Ways". NHL.com. May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Arizona Coyotes to part ways with head coach Rick Tocchet". Arizona Sports. May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Canucks Announce Changes to Coaching Staff". NHL.com. January 22, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Turner Sports Bolsters NHL Game and Studio Commentator Team | Pressroom". pressroom.warnermedia.com. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Rick Tocchet on taking on his new role with TNT, bringing out an entertainment factor in hockey - Sportsnet.ca". www.sportsnet.ca. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Gretzky's wife allegedly placed bets in gambling ring". ESPN.com. February 7, 2006. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Gretzky's wife, Tocchet eye lawsuits". CBC.ca. May 25, 2006. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  22. ↑ Archived September 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  23. ↑ "Tocchet Gets Probation, Not Jail, For His Role in Gambling Ring". Washington Post.
  24. ↑ "Tocchet avoids jail, gets two years probation". ESPN.com. August 17, 2007. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  25. ↑ Duhatschek, Eric (February 6, 2008). "Tocchet eager to move on from 'tough time'". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on March 18, 2008. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Newest Flyers Hall of Famers: Rick Tocchet and Paul Holmgren". October 7, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Flyers History – Gordie Howe Hattricks". Retrieved August 10, 2014.
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