Flyers hire Tocchet as new head coach

The Philadelphia Flyers named Rick Tocchet their 25th head coach in franchise history on Wednesday.

Tocchet left the Vancouver Canucks in April after three seasons despite the club's efforts to extend him.

"During this process, it became clear that Rick was the absolute right coach to lead our team," general manager Daniel Briere said in a statement. "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."

The Flyers fired John Tortorella in March with nine games left in the regular season. Philadelphia has missed the playoffs for five straight years.

Tocchet won the Jack Adams Award in 2024 after guiding the Canucks to the postseason. Tocchet went 108-65-27 in Vancouver, but his tenure ended with a tumultuous 2024-25 campaign that resulted in the Canucks missing the playoffs.

As a player, Tocchet spent 11 seasons with the Flyers over two stints from 1984-92 and 1999-2002. He accumulated 232 goals, 508 points, and 1,815 penalty minutes in 621 games with Philadelphia.

"I've always been a Flyer at heart and have taken that passion and energy that embodies this city and organization with me throughout my career," Tocchet said.

He added: "I couldn't be more excited to lead this team back among the NHL elite where we belong. We have a lot of work to do and much to accomplish, but I am confident in the direction we are heading and determined to get us there."

Tocchet previously coached the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2008-10 and the Arizona Coyotes from 2017-21. He won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017 as an assistant.