Former Vancouver Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet Officially Joining The Philadelphia Flyers

Another piece in the NHL head coaching puzzle has been placed, as former Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet will be joining the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers announced on Wednesday that Tocchet will be the 25th head coach in franchise history.

The Flyers had been rumoured to be interested in Tocchet even before the coach announced he would not be returning to the Canucks. Around this time, Tocchet’s agent, Steve Mountain, made note of how they had not had any discussions with Philadelphia regarding a possible deal. Other teams that were rumoured to be on Tocchet’s radar were the Boston Bruins and Seattle Kraken. During an interview on the 100% Hockey with Miller & Shannon Podcast, Canucks President of Hockey Operations, Jim Rutherford, explained that part of Tocchet’s reason for departing was wanting to be closer to family back on the east coast.

“During this process it became clear that Rick was the absolute right coach to lead our team. He has enjoyed the highest level of success both as a player and coach. Rick’s ability to teach and understand his players, combined with his passion for winning, brings out the best in young players at different stages of their development and has earned the respect and confidence of highly talented All-Stars and veteran players alike,” said Flyers GM Daniel Briere regarding the hire.

History between Philadelphia and Tocchet extends decades. The coach was drafted 121st overall by the Flyers back in 1983 and spent eight seasons in a row with them before ending up with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Nearly a decade after his departure, Tocchet was traded back to the Flyers by the Arizona Coyotes, spending two more seasons with them before retiring from playing in 2002. He was inducted into the Flyers’ Hall of Fame in 2021.

Tocchet’s most recent coaching stint was with Vancouver. Despite joining the Canucks in January 2023, rumours of Tocchet being Vancouver’s bench boss emerged weeks — if not months before — due to some blunt assessments from Canucks management. Shortly after Tocchet was brought in, Vancouver’s captain at the time, Bo Horvat, was dealt to the New York Islanders.

Because of this, fans weren’t sure what to expect from the Canucks come 2023–24. However, following a dominant 8–1 victory against the Edmonton Oilers to open the season, Vancouver surged to the top of the Pacific Division and took down the Nashville Predators in six games during the first round of playoffs. They took the Oilers to seven games in the second round, but ultimately couldn’t surpass them. Their 50-win season helped Tocchet win his first Jack Adams Award.

Tocchet will join a room full of youth in Philadelphia. 2023 seventh-round draft pick Matvei Michkov is going into his sophomore NHL season, while 2020 first-round pick Tyson Foerster will play in his third full season. Other young players on the Flyers include defender Jamie Drysdale and forwards Jakob Pelletier and Bobby Brink.

Earlier today, Tocchet’s replacement was also announced, as his former assistant coach with the Canucks, Adam Foote, was named the 22nd head coach in franchise history.