The Philadelphia Flyers Announced Thursday that the team would move on from head coach John Tortorella after his almost three years with the organization.
The decision to shoot the coach who won the Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004 came after he made a questionable remark about his “interest” in coaching “this type of season.”
The Flyers issued a statement announcing their decision with only nine matches left in Plain season. Associate Coach Brad Shaw was appointed temporary head coach.
Philadelphia Flyer’s main coach John Tortorella talks to Center Sean Couturier (14) during a game against Washington Capitals in Wells Fargo Center April 16, 2024. (Eric Hartline/USA Today Sports)
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“Today I made the very difficult decision to move on from John as our main coach,” said General Manager Daniel Briere. “John played an important role in our reconstruction. He set a standard for games and reintroduced what it means to be a Philadelphia flyer.
“John’s passion on the bench was only equalized by his charitable work in our society. As we move into the next chapter of this reconstruction, I felt that this was the best for our team to move on. I would like to thank John for his tireless work and commitment to Flyers.”
Tortorella, who has long established herself as a no-nonsense leader, went 97-107-33 with flyers. He was fired with a year back on his contract. The decision to share ways came under a brutal slide for Flyers, losing 11 of 12 games and won only six times in the last 25 games.
Philadelphia Flyer’s main coach John Tortorella during the second period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden 11 April 2024. (Danny Wild/USA Today Sports)
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After Tuesday’s loss of 7-2 to Toronto, Tortorella seemed to be blamed, but made a weird remark about his coaching interest.
“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 definitely be some frustration. But this is falling on me. I’m not really interested in learning to train in this type of season where we are right now,” he said, via Yahoo Sports.
“But I have to do a better job. So this falls on me and gets the team prepared to play the right way until we get to the end.”
Philadelphia Flyer’s main coach John Tortorella responds to the bench against Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at PPG Paints Arena 11 March 2023. (Charles Leclaire/USA Today Sports)
Briere said at a press conference on Thursday that Tortorella’s comments Tuesday contributed to his decision.
“It’s one of the things that has happened along the way. That’s not the specific reason and there’s not a specific reason,” Briere said.
