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Rick Tocchet

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Jdjd021 (talk | contribs) at 00:48, 7 November 2022 (Undid revision 1091924426 by Jdjd021 (talk) Reverted previous edit I made in June. All-time league leader doesn't necessarily mean totals with single team is the most for that team. So the information is, in fact, relevant. My mistake.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Rick Tocchet
Tocchet (right) in 2014
Born (1964-04-09) April 9, 1964 (age 60)
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
Coached for Tampa Bay Lightning
Arizona Coyotes
Pittsburgh Penguins
National team  Canada
NHL draft 121st overall, 1983
Philadelphia Flyers
Playing career 1984–2002
Coaching career 2002–present

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. He is now a studio analyst for NHL on TNT.

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. 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.[2][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 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 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 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.[9] 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.[10] On May 11, 2009 Tocchet had the interim tag removed and was signed to a two-year deal by the Lightning.[11] 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.[12] On February 29, 2020, Tocchet earned his 100th win as head coach of the Coyotes in a 5–2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.[13] At the conclusion of the 2020–21 season, Tocchet and the Coyotes mutually agreed to part ways.[14][15]

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 and serves as an analyst for the network.

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.[16] "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.[17]

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.[18]

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.[19]

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. [20]

The NHL issued a statement from Gary Bettman, but his spokesman would not answer questions, including if Tocchet had a future in hockey.[21]

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.[22] 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

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

References

  1. ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  2. ^ "Bruins deal disgrunted Oates and two others in blockbuster deal," The Associated Press (AP), Saturday, March 1, 1997. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  3. ^ 1997 NHL Entry Draft Pick Transactions, June 21 – Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  4. ^ Clarke, Mary. "TNT's NHL broadcast is already more fun than NBC's ever was, growing pains and all," USA Today, Thursday, September 30, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  5. ^ Alexander, Rachel. "With Tocchet Gone, Capitals Go Forward," The Washington Post, Tuesday, June 17, 1997. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  6. ^ "Coyotes Pick Up Tocchet," The Associated Press (AP), Wednesday, July 9, 1997. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  7. ^ "Flyers, Coyotes work trade," United Press International (UPI), Wednesday, March 8, 2000. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  8. ^ Coaching Staff – Tampa Bay Lightning – Team Archived December 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Lightning.nhl.com. Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
  9. ^ Lightning fire head coach Barry Melrose. Tsn.ca (November 15, 2008). Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ Lightning signs Tocchet to multi-year deal – NHL.com – News. NHL.com. Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
  12. ^ Vest, Dave (July 11, 2017). "Tocchet Likes Fit with Coyotes". NHL.com. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  13. ^ "Keller scores twice in Coyotes' 5-2 win over Sabres". ESPN. February 29, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  14. ^ "Arizona Coyotes and Head Coach Rick Tocchet Agree to Part Ways". NHL.com. May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  15. ^ "Arizona Coyotes to part ways with head coach Rick Tocchet". Arizona Sports. May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  16. ^ Gretzky's wife allegedly placed bets in gambling ring – NHL – ESPN. Sports.espn.go.com (February 9, 2006). Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
  17. ^ [1][dead link]
  18. ^ Tocchet, Gretzky's wife start suits. Azcentral.com (May 26, 2006). Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
  19. ^ http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/hockey/15190538.htm?source=rss&channel=philly_hockey. Retrieved August 4, 2006. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)[dead link]
  20. ^ Tocchet Gets Probation, Not Jail, For His Role in Gambling Ring
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ [2]. Theglobeandmail.com. Retrieved on November 24, 2010. Archived March 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ "Newest Flyers Hall of Famers: Rick Tocchet and Paul Holmgren".
  24. ^ "Flyers History – Gordie Howe Hattricks". Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  25. ^ Gordie Howe hat trick
Awards
Preceded by Winner of the Bobby Clarke Trophy
1990 		Succeeded by
Sporting positions
Preceded by Philadelphia Flyers captain
1991–92 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning
2008–10 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Head coach of the Arizona Coyotes
2017–21 		Succeeded by
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