Rick Tocchet
Rick Tocchet | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Tocchet (right) in 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | April 9, 1964 Scarborough, Ontario, Canada | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | Canadian | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Ice hockey coach, player | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coaching career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Previous team(s) | Tampa Bay Lightning Arizona Coyotes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years as NHL player | 1984–2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years as a coach | 2002–2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years as an NHL coach | 2002–2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Richard Tocchet (/tɔːkət/; born April 9, 1964) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. 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. Beginning 2021 he will be a studio analyst for the NHL on Turner Sports.
Playing career[]
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 6th 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.
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. Rick returned to the Flyers in 2000, adding 11 points en route to an Eastern Conference Finals berth. Tocchet retired after 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[]
He 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 passing). The team went 2–3–0 under Tocchet. Gretzky eventually resumed his duties on December 28.
Tocchet was named as the associate coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 9, 2008.[2] On November 16, 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. Tocchet lost his first game to the Carolina Hurricanes in a shootout.[3] Tocchet's first win came two games later on November 21 against the Nashville Predators. However, he would go on to lose his next nine games, and twelve of the next thirteen.[4] On May 11, 2009 Tocchet had the interim tag removed and was signed to a two-year deal by the Lightning.[5] 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 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.[6] On February 29, 2020, Tocchet earned his 100th win as head coach of the Coyotes in a 5–2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.[7] At the conclusion of the 2020–21 season, Tocchet and the Coyotes mutually agreed to part ways.[8][9]
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.
Criminal charges[]
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.[10] "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, 2006.[11]
On May 8, 2006, 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.[12]
On August 3, 2006, 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.[13]
On May 25, 2007, Tocchet pleaded guilty to conspiracy and promoting gambling. New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram announced on August 17, 2007, 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 is a presumption against incarceration for first-time offenders who plead guilty to such crimes. [14]
The NHL issued a statement from Gary Bettman, but his spokesman would not answer questions, including if Tocchet had a future in hockey.[15]
During a press conference on February 6, 2008, it was announced that Tocchet was to be reinstated, and would serve as assistant coach the next day, exactly two years after taking a leave of absence.[16] Among other conditions of his reinstatement, Tocchet was ordered by Bettman to abstain from all forms of gambling.
Awards[]
- 3-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins: 1992 (as player), 2016 (as assistant coach); and 2017 (as assistant coach).
- Selected to four NHL All-Star Games: 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1993
Records[]
- Philadelphia Flyers all-time leader in Gordie Howe hat tricks – 9[17]
- NHL all-time leader in Gordie Howe hat tricks – 18 (includes post-season)[18]
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[]
| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | OTL | Pts | Finish | W | L | Win% | Result | |||
| TBL | 2008–09 | 66 | 19 | 33 | 14 | 52 | 5th in Southeast | — | — | — | Missed playoffs | |
| TBL | 2009–10 | 82 | 34 | 36 | 12 | 80 | 4th in Southeast | — | — | — | Missed playoffs | |
| ARI | 2017–18 | 82 | 29 | 41 | 12 | 70 | 8th in Pacific | — | — | — | Missed playoffs | |
| ARI | 2018–19 | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | 4th in Pacific | — | — | — | Missed playoffs | |
| ARI | 2019–20 | 70* | 33 | 29 | 8 | 74 | 5th in Pacific | 4 | 5 | .444 | Lost in First Round (COL) | |
| ARI | 2020–21 | 56 | 24 | 26 | 6 | 54 | 5th in West | — | — | — | Missed playoffs | |
| Total | 438 | 178 | 200 | 60 | 4 | 5 | .444 | 1 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[]
- Operation Slapshot
- Captain (ice hockey)
- Power forward (ice hockey)
- List of NHL players with 100-point seasons
- List of NHL players with 1,000 games played
- List of NHL players with 2,000 career penalty minutes
References[]
- ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
- ^ Coaching Staff – Tampa Bay Lightning – Team Archived December 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Lightning.nhl.com. Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
- ^ Lightning fire head coach Barry Melrose. Tsn.ca (November 15, 2008). Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
- ^ 2010–2011 Regular Season Schedule/Results – Tampa Bay Lightning – Schedule Archived November 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Lightning.nhl.com. Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
- ^ Lightning signs Tocchet to multi-year deal – NHL.com – News. NHL.com. Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
- ^ Vest, Dave (July 11, 2017). "Tocchet Likes Fit with Coyotes". NHL.com. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- ^ "Keller scores twice in Coyotes' 5-2 win over Sabres". ESPN. February 29, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ "Arizona Coyotes and Head Coach Rick Tocchet Agree to Part Ways". NHL.com. May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
- ^ "Arizona Coyotes to part ways with head coach Rick Tocchet". Arizona Sports. May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- ^ Gretzky's wife allegedly placed bets in gambling ring – NHL – ESPN. Sports.espn.go.com (February 9, 2006). Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ Tocchet, Gretzky's wife start suits. Azcentral.com (May 26, 2006). Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
- ^ http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/hockey/15190538.htm?source=rss&channel=philly_hockey. Retrieved August 4, 2006. Missing or empty
|title=(help)[dead link] - ^ Tocchet Gets Probation, Not Jail, For His Role in Gambling Ring
- ^ Yahoo! Sports – Sports News, Scores, Rumors, Fantasy Games, and more Archived August 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
- ^ [2]. Theglobeandmail.com. Retrieved on November 24, 2010. Archived March 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Flyers History – Gordie Howe Hattricks". Retrieved August 10, 2014.
- ^ Gordie Howe hat trick
External links[]
- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
- 1964 births
- Living people
- Arizona Coyotes coaches
- Boston Bruins players
- Canadian ice hockey coaches
- Canadian ice hockey right wingers
- Canadian people of Italian descent
- Colorado Avalanche coaches
- Ice hockey people from Ontario
- Los Angeles Kings players
- National Hockey League All-Stars
- Philadelphia Flyers captains
- Philadelphia Flyers draft picks
- Philadelphia Flyers players
- Phoenix Coyotes players
- Pittsburgh Penguins coaches
- Pittsburgh Penguins players
- Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds players
- Sportspeople from Scarborough, Toronto
- Stanley Cup champions
- Tampa Bay Lightning coaches
- Washington Capitals players