THE Philadelphia flyers Announced on Thursday that the team would go from head coach John Tortorella after his almost three years with the organization.
The decision to dismiss the coach, who won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning of Tampa Bay in 2004, intervened after making a questionable remark on his “interest” for training “this type of season”.
The Flyers have published a statement announcing their decision with only nine games to play in the Regular season. Associate coach Brad Shaw was appointed acting head coach.
Philadelphia’s Flyers head coach John Tortorella talks with the Sean Couturier Center (14) in a match against Washington Capitals at Wells Fargo Center on April 16, 2024. (Eric Hartline / USA TODAY SPORTS)
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“Today, I made the very difficult decision to go from John as a chief coach,” said Managing Director Daniel Briere. “John played a vital role in our reconstruction. He established a gaming standard and restored what a flyer of Philadelphia means.
“John’s passion for the bench has not been matched by his charity work in our community. While we are going to the next chapter of this reconstruction, I felt that it was the best for our team to advance. I would like to thank John for his tireless work and his commitment to the flyers.”
Tortorella, who has long established himself as a leader without frills, went 97-107-33 with the flyers. He was dismissed with a year remaining on his contract. The decision to separate came in a brutal slide for the flyers, who lost 11 of the 12 games and won only six times in the last 25 games.
Philadelphia’s Flyers head coach John Tortorella, during the second period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on April 11, 2024. (Danny Wild / USA TODAY SPORTS)
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After the 7-2 defeat on Tuesday in Toronto, Tortorella seemed to take the blame but made a strange remark concerning his interest as a coach.
“When you are in this type of situation, and you lose all the time, and there is nothing at the end of the tunnel for you, there will certainly be a certain frustration. But that falls on me. Yahoo Sports.
“But I have to do a better job. So that falls on me, prepare the team to play the right way until we arrived at the end.”
Philadelphia Flyers’ head coach John Tortorella reacts on the bench against Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at PPG Pains Arena on March 11, 2023. (Charles Leclaire / USA TODAY SPORTS)
Briere said at a press conference Thursday that Tortorella comments on Tuesday had contributed to his decision.
“This is one of the things that happened along the way. This is not the specific reason, and there is not a specific reason,” said Briere.
