The Philadelphia Flyers have brought back a familiar face. On Wednesday, the team announced Rick Tocchet as the 25th head coach in franchise history. Tocchet is no stranger to Flyers fans—he played 11 seasons for Philadelphia during his NHL career and is now returning to lead the team from behind the bench.
Why the Flyers Made a Change
The Flyers’ head coach position became available after they fired John Tortorella on March 27. Brad Shaw, the associate coach, stepped in temporarily for the rest of the season. But the Flyers struggled badly, finishing last in the Eastern Conference.
Flyers General Manager Daniel Briere shared his excitement about hiring Tocchet. “Rick was clearly the right choice. His passion for winning and his ability to connect with players at all levels makes him a perfect fit for our team,” said Briere.
Tocchet’s Coaching Experience So Far
This will be Tocchet’s fourth job as an NHL head coach. Before joining the Flyers, he was in charge of three other teams—Tampa Bay Lightning, Arizona Coyotes, and Vancouver Canucks.
Most recently, he coached the Vancouver Canucks for 200 games, collecting a solid 108-65-27 record. His best coaching season came in 2023-24, when he led the Canucks to the top of the Pacific Division and won the Jack Adams Award for NHL Coach of the Year. They reached the second round of the playoffs before being eliminated in Game 7 by the Edmonton Oilers.
However, things didn’t go as smoothly in the following season. Vancouver missed the playoffs, and team issues—like the conflict between star players Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller—added more pressure. Miller was later traded to the New York Rangers, and the Canucks missed the postseason by just six points.
Improving Teams Wherever He Goes
Tocchet also had a major impact when he coached the Arizona Coyotes. When he took over in 2017-18, the team finished last in the Western Conference. But he quickly helped them improve, and by the 2019-20 season, they made it to the playoffs and won their qualifying round against Nashville. Arizona was eventually knocked out by Colorado.
Even though the Coyotes didn’t make deep playoff runs, Tocchet helped build them into a more competitive team. That’s exactly what the Flyers hope he can do in Philadelphia.
Tocchet’s Early Coaching Career
Tocchet got his first NHL head coaching opportunity with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He started mid-season after Barry Melrose was let go. The Lightning struggled that year, finishing second-last in the league. The next season was a little better, but they still missed the playoffs.
Before becoming a head coach, Tocchet was also an assistant and associate coach for several NHL teams, including the Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was part of the coaching staff that won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins.
Rick Tocchet’s return to the Flyers marks a new chapter for both him and the team. Known for his leadership, experience, and ability to develop young talent, Tocchet brings a winning mindset back to Philadelphia. With the Flyers looking to rebuild and improve quickly, Tocchet’s track record of turning teams around could be exactly what the team needs to get back on track.
