If Rick Tocchet's hockey skills hadn't propelled him to an NHL career, he likely would have thrived as a physical education teacher. That passion for instruction and development is unmistakable when the former Vancouver Canucks coach speaks about his profession.
A Teacher at Heart, Now in Brotherly Love
Now leading the Philadelphia Flyers, Tocchet's deep affection for coaching shines through. He describes the role as a partnership, a collaborative effort to guide players to heights they might not have envisioned for themselves. "I enjoy the fact that you partner with a player," Tocchet explained. "And you ask, 'How do we get to where we want to go?'"
His approach is bearing fruit in Philadelphia. After the Flyers finished at the bottom of their division last season, they have shown marked improvement with a record of 17-10-7 this year, although they remain fifth in the highly competitive Metropolitan Division. Tocchet notes the thrilling, nail-biting nature of their games, many decided by a single goal or in overtime. "It's been really fun to coach them," he said.
The Heartbreak of Leaving Vancouver
Despite finding his footing in Philadelphia, Tocchet's departure from the Canucks after the 2024-25 season was far from easy. He describes the decision as "devastating" and emotionally charged, rejecting any notion that he simply quit on the team.
"When I talked to Jim (Rutherford) and told him I wasn't coming back, I was very emotional about it," Tocchet revealed. He expressed deep affection for Vancouver, praising the fans, the media, and his overall experience in the city. "The Vancouver job is a great job. I had a blast there. Nobody ran me out of town... That was the hard part; the fans are great. So it was really hard to leave, 100 per cent."
Learning from the "Elephant in the Room"
Tocchet candidly reflected on the challenges of the previous season in Vancouver, which culminated in the major trade of star forward J.T. Miller. He acknowledged the rift between Miller and Elias Pettersson as the "elephant in the room" but indicated other, smaller issues were also at play.
The experience has become a crucial lesson in his coaching evolution. "You learn from your experiences. You become better. You become a better coach from experiences," he stated. Looking back, he questions if he could have addressed the simmering problems more swiftly. "Could we have got so we got the fire trucks a little bit quicker to the flames? Maybe. I don't know."
Ultimately, the dramatic shift in the team's dynamics following the 2024 playoff run—where the Canucks fell to the Edmonton Oilers in a thrilling second-round series—forced him to make a tough, pragmatic decision about his own future.
A New Challenge in a Demanding Sports City
Philadelphia presents a fresh set of challenges and pressures, akin to those in Vancouver. It's a city obsessed with its sports teams, from the Super Bowl-winning Eagles to the competitive Phillies. "We're fighting for front page," Tocchet noted, drawing a parallel to the constant scrutiny in Vancouver.
The key difference, he points out, is the consequence of underperformance. "But if you're not pulling your weight in Philly, you're back page." This pressure is precisely what motivates him. His new mission is clear: to be part of the solution that returns the Flyers to their former glory. "That's the fun," Tocchet said, embracing the task ahead with the same teaching spirit he's always carried.
