Photo Credit: Twitter @JohnTortorella2
As John Tortorella sat at the podium after the first day of practice this past Thursday on September 22nd hearing my question about Anthony Rothman and “Hockey and Hounds” he then began to smile from ear to ear. After I finished asking my question about this program he said, “Oh God yea (About Anthony Rothman), Joe can I answer that. I know my foundation, my wife has been in touch with a number of organizations out here, Joe you want to answer that Joe.”
“Joe you want to answer that Joe.” – John Tortorella
He was referring to the Flyers Head PR Joe Siville. Tortorella then continued, “When we had that program out there (Columbus when he was the Head Coach for the Blue Jackets) we had thousands of dogs adopted, other animals as well, so yeah that’s damn important. My wife’s goal is to piggyback with other teams, and get it started. I know it’s not the biggest thing because we are starting an NHL camp, but it’s important. We want to stay involved in this, and we’ve been trying to get this going for the past few weeks.” Joe Siville confirmed following this Presser that they are doing their best and bringing this radio show to the Philadelphia airwaves, and they should know something sometime soon. He said further details would be released when this transpires.
The Flyers have hired a former Stanley Cup winning Head Coach John Tortorella to a four year deal, worth $16 million ($4 million per year). He won a Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning back in the 2003-04 season. Tortorella is known to be a hard-nosed coach, who commands the most from his players. He is not afraid of benching or calling out star studded players either. All he wants is a well-conditioned team, that can skate.
For his efforts, Tortorella is the second most winningest American born coach in history to Peter Laviolette. He has a record of 673-541-37 (Ties)-132 (OTL losses) as a Head Coach, and Tortorella became the 23rd Head Coach in Flyers history a few weeks ago. But it’s what he does away from the ice that is impressive, as well.
Tortorella and Anthony Rothman (Whom is a sports talk show host for 97.1 The Fan in Columbus), teamed up together to form “Hockey and Hounds”, which is a charitable organization that supports pet adoptions through volunteer efforts. It was originally founded by Rothman, but Tortorella became so enthused about rescues and pet adoptions that he worked with Anthony, as well. So much so, that Tortorella had four rescue dogs, and two rescue horses at his home when he lived in Columbus, per an article written by Tom Reed of The Athletic.
Tortorella would come on the Carpenter (Bobby Carpenter) and Rothman show on 97.1 The Fan, every Wednesday afternoon during the hockey season to talk hockey and hounds. Who knew that Tortorella was an avid animal lover away from the ice, and one that loves rescues. It sort of reminds me of former Flyer Shayne Gostisbehere, whom he did a lot of work for the Philadelphia SPCA.
Anthony and Tortorella formed a store called “Hockey and Hounds” based off “Where I’m From” website, where 100% of the proceeds go to the Tortorella Family Foundation to be given to pet adoptions throughout the state of Ohio, community volunteering, and other charitable efforts.
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Anthony talks sports on 97.1 The Fan, and he is also a volunteer humane agent for Columbus Humane. He rescues dogs and other animals from abusive and bad environments. Rothman has quite a unique/bond relationship with new Flyers Head Coach in Tortorella, and one I was very appreciative of getting to learn this from Anthony in a phone call earlier in the week.
It starts with “One dog at a time,” as Tortorella and Rothman exclaim. Anthony intends to continue this partnership with the PSPCA here in Philadelphia, since Tortorella has since become the Head Coach of the Flyers. Who would have known that Tortorella would have a soft spot for animals, and a partnership that would be everlasting with Anthony.
Special thanks to Anthony Rothman for trusting me and giving me valuable information for this piece.
