Twitter announces John Tortorella as Vancouver Canucks new coach
If you put any stock in Twitter—which rarely gets anything wrong, other than erroneously reporting the death of Abe Vigoda every three days—John Tortorella is set to become the next coach of the Vancouver Canucks.
The Twittersphere is currently ablaze with news that the 54-year-old former New York Rangers bench boss was seen boarding United Flight 323 to Vancouver. He has had two interviews already with the Canucks.
Canucks brass have been searching for a new head coach since firing Alain Vigneault earlier this spring. Under Vigneault, the winningest coach in the team’s history, the Canucks were bounced in the first round of the playoffs this season and last.
Vancouver has interviewed a number of candidates for the head coach position over the past few weeks, most of whom have now landed with other teams. Among them are Lindy Ruff, who has since now signed with the Dallas Stars, and Dallas Eakins who agreed to a deal with the Oilers. Los Angeles Kings assistant John Stevens has also been interviewed, and was speculated to be in a two-person race with Tortorella for the job.
If Tortorella is indeed the Canucks next coach, Vancouver hockey fans can expect a personality far more incendiary than Vigneault. Tortorella—who won a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Lightning in 2004—is famous for a temper that had led to him benching stars players in big games, calling out players in the press, and, most famously of all teeing off on members of the media.
Speculation is that Vancouver brass will want him to tone things down, which means no more profanity-laden outbursts such as the ones above one directed at New York Post hockey reporter Larry Brooks, whom Tortorella has stopped sending Christmas cards to.
Comments
10 Comments
phil kirkwood
Jun 21, 2013 at 1:35pm
This is certainly a dumb move and further illustrates the ineptitude of management staff and ownership. Already the most disliked organization in the NHL you further compound it with a bonehead move. My family,3 sons, wife and myself will certainly no longer be Vancouver Canuck fans because of this being the final straw after 40 years of idiocy. The majority of players are more than happy whenever John leaves town and yet for some idiotic reason you think this kind of personality would make a good coach. But it figures, just another extremely bad move by Mike Gillis and company. No making the playoffs for Canucks for a few years.
DavidH
Jun 21, 2013 at 1:55pm
In the 8 seasons since his only cup win, "Tortorella the Tool" has missed the playoffs 2 times, lost in the first round 4 times, lost in the second round 1 time, made the conference finals 1 time, and was fired twice.
In the 4 seasons before his only cup win, he missed the playoffs 3 times and lost in the second round 1 time.
Not only is he a marginal coach, who got lucky once, he is a "Boston Bigmouth" who sees himself as important. Not only will veteran players on the Canucks squad tune him out within weeks of his arrival, but the Vancouver sports media will eat him alive. They already see him mainly as a source of comedy.
The only thing more entertaining would be if Brian "Big Bluster" Burke came back as GM.
Hockey Fan
Jun 21, 2013 at 1:55pm
What a dumb move! Last time I will watch a Vancouver game or attend one!
Nuck_d
Jun 21, 2013 at 2:24pm
Do it, it's just what this sleepy team needs. People have been complaining for years that the Canucks are soft and unmotivated, then when they finally find a coach to crack the whip, people complain that he is too much of a loudmouth. You can't have it both ways. Face it, this team is going downhill, we need to gamble with a guy like Torts and hope that he can wake up this sleepy country-club of a locker-room we have. This town is losing interest in hockey again anyway (can't even sell out playoff games!), Torts will liven things up around here.
TAQ
Jun 21, 2013 at 7:43pm
Tortorella will be in for a shock when he starts coaching in a hockey market where 2/3 of the population knows the players, the stats and pays attention. At this point the team is rebuilding anyway and he might be the only entertainment we get for a few years. Welcome to Vancouver, Mr. Tortorella. And good luck... You're going to need it.
Michael Koren
Jun 21, 2013 at 11:17pm
Reminds me of the Mike Keenan era in Vancouver. How did that work out for ya, Canucks Nation? Mr. Keenan is now coaching in Siberia. Okay, Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League. Torts likely not far behind, IF he survives the media and fans in 'peaceful' Vancouver!
Alan Layton
Jun 22, 2013 at 12:05am
If he thought the NYC press and public were harsh, just wait until he loses a game here. Lol.
Trevor
Jun 22, 2013 at 1:52am
Wow what a bunch of debbie downers. I believe AV was blowing hot air and the team wasn't buying into it anymore, give it a rest. So many canuckfans wanted AV gone now that he is all I hear is whinning.
TAQ2
Jun 22, 2013 at 2:04am
The media and fand will be in for a shock when Tortorella starts coaching in a hockey market where 2/3 of the population simply complains the stats and doesn't pay attention to what they've been complaining about for years - that the team needs a coach like Tortorella.
Hay Sting
Jun 22, 2013 at 2:05am
Note how the people blasting this choice fail to offer alternatives who substantially differ in style from AV. It's time for a change. Would keeping AV have been preferable? Would hiring (insert name, please) been preferable? Go Torts!