Rick Tocchet was named the 25th head coach in Flyers history on May 14, 2025, succeeding John Tortorella, who was fired on March 27, 2025. Tocchet, a Flyers Hall of Famer, played 621 games for the team over two stints (1984-92, 1999-2002) and holds the franchise record for penalty minutes (1,815).
He previously coached the Vancouver Canucks (2022-25), winning the 2024 Jack Adams Award, and has also led the Tampa Bay Lightning (2008-10) and Arizona Coyotes (2017-21). His overall coaching record is 286-265-87 with two playoff appearances. Tocchet’s hiring aims to guide the Flyers’ rebuild, focusing on developing young talent like Matvei Michkov while pushing for playoff contention. Without further delay, here are the nuggets to his introductory presser with the media.
- Danny Briere on Rick Tocchet: “That’s one thing Tocchet does well is build relationships.”
- A loud applause for Rick Tocchet as he says: “I’m happy for this opportunity. I’m happy to be back.”
- Danny Briere says that Tocchet is great a communicating, he’s a mentor, and a teacher. Yup, that’s why he was hired, along with leverage bringing players to Philly.
- Rick Tocchet is ready for the next step with the Flyers, and wants to win: “There’s a lot of draft picks, prospects, you know just a lot of untapped talent.”
- Rick Tocchet on Matvei Michkov: “He wants to be the best. That’s a great head start. It’s a privilege for me to come in and have that high level guy. The fans already love him, so I’m excited to see what happens in the next five years with him.”
- Rick Tocchet on the team: “There are some guys in the room that have leadership qualities. We have to get it out of them.”
- Rick Tocchet: “When I was going through the process. There’s a talent pool here.”
- Danny Briere admitted that hiring Rick Tocchet will entice more players to come via free agency. That was a key with him being hired.
- Danny Briere says that Rick Tocchet’s tenure with Arizona, with a squad that was supposed to be less successful, is what appealed him to Tocchet
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