Rick Tocchet

Richard Tocchet (born April 9, 1964) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He currently serves as the head coach of the Arizona Coyotes 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 Tampa Bay Lightning for two seasons. During the 2010 playoffs, he was an analyst on Flyers Postgame Live on Comcast SportsNet.

Rick Tocchet
Tocchet (right) as assistant coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2014
Born	(1964-04-09) April 9, 1964 Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Nationality	Canadian
Occupation	Ice hockey coach, player
Coaching career
Position	Head coach
General manager	John Chayka
Team	Arizona Coyotes
Previous team(s)	Tampa Bay Lightning
Years as NHL player	1984–2002
Years as a coach	2002–present
Years as an NHL coach	2002–present
Years with current team	2017–present
Ice hockey career 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 National team  Canada NHL Draft 121st overall, 1983 Philadelphia Flyers Playing career 1984–2002

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 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.[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]

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.[8] "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.[9]

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.[10]

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.[11]

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. [12]

The NHL issued a statement from Gary Bettman, but his spokesman would not answer questions, including if Tocchet had a future in hockey.[13]

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.[14] 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[15]
• NHL all-time leader in Gordie Howe hat tricks – 18 (includes post-season)[16]

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				1144	440	512	952	2972		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
Total		312	121	145	46	288		—	—	—

See also

• Operation Slapshot
• Captain (ice hockey)
• Power forward (ice hockey)
• List of NHL players with 100-point seasons
• List of NHL players with 1000 games played
• List of NHL players with 2000 career penalty minutes

References

1. "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
2. Coaching Staff – Tampa Bay Lightning – Team Archived December 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Lightning.nhl.com. Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
3. Lightning fire head coach Barry Melrose. Tsn.ca (November 15, 2008). Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
4. 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.
5. Lightning signs Tocchet to multi-year deal – NHL.com – News. NHL.com. Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
6. Vest, Dave (July 11, 2017). "Tocchet Likes Fit with Coyotes". NHL.com. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
7. "Keller scores twice in Coyotes' 5-2 win over Sabres". ESPN. February 29, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
8. Gretzky's wife allegedly placed bets in gambling ring – NHL – ESPN. Sports.espn.go.com (February 9, 2006). Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
10. Tocchet, Gretzky's wife start suits. Azcentral.com (May 26, 2006). Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
11. http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/hockey/15190538.htm?source=rss&channel=philly_hockey. Retrieved August 4, 2006. Missing or empty |title= (help)
12. Tocchet Gets Probation, Not Jail, For His Role in Gambling Ring
13. 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.
14. . Theglobeandmail.com. Retrieved on November 24, 2010. Archived March 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
15. "Flyers History – Gordie Howe Hattricks". Retrieved August 10, 2014.
16. Gordie Howe hat trick

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or Legends of Hockey, or The Internet Hockey Database

Awards
Preceded by Ron Hextall	Winner of the Bobby Clarke Trophy 1990	Succeeded by Pelle Eklund
Sporting positions
Preceded by Ron Sutter	Philadelphia Flyers captain 1991–1992	Succeeded by Kevin Dineen
Preceded by Barry Melrose	Head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning 2008–2010	Succeeded by Guy Boucher
Preceded by Dave Tippett	Head coach of the Arizona Coyotes 2017–present	Succeeded by Incumbent