John 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. This was one reason why the majority of the Flyers team reported early for training camp. They also knew that they would have to give their all to fight to stay in the lineup.
It’s become apparent as some have excelled, and some have had difficulties learning this, but on most nights the Flyers do not have a problem with effort. The team may not be talented enough to beat stiff competition or playoff bound teams on a nightly basis, but they do fight and claw their way into games nine times out of 10, “I’m not gonna stand up here all year long and talk about moral victories,” John Tortorella said following the loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. “But I’ve got to goddamn remember where we are, as far as where we are in the organization, and the process that we are at. I’m certainly not gonna boo the team. I’m gonna try to help them.”
What isn’t brought up much is how much he cares about the players and community. Maybe it’s not a big story, maybe it’s not the big thing, but he really does care about these players. And that is evident after he was seen patting Morgan frost on the back after a few tough shifts into his return into the lineup. Tortorella is a smart guy, he sensed that Frost was trying to do too much and getting frustrated, so he came over and calmed him down. Believe it or not from that point on Frost was a much different player in a good way following that incident.
Sort of the same thing occurred, but in a different way with Bobby Brink last year. Brink scored his first NHL goal, when he came back to the bench and sat down, Tortorella came over and patted him on the back and head saying “Good job”. Of course, that was a non story as he is just supposed to be a tough coach and that’s it.
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Today, he invited Guy Gaudreau, the father of the late Johnny and Matt Gaudreau to practice. It’s quite a gesture, considering what the Gaudreau’s are going through. This isn’t talked about enough with Tortorella.
“I called him and I wanted to know if he wanted to come out with everything that has gone on. He’s a coach, this is the first time I met him. He’s done some great work with the youth out there. I want him to be a part of it. He’s a coach. It’s great to have him out here.” – John Tortorella said with inviting Guy Gaudreau to camp
People can say what they want. Tortorella continues to do great gestures for the community, with inviting Guy Gaudreau to practice today. Torts gets it.
“He was giving me s..t that I was yelling at the players to skate harder. He said, ‘You only have three lines out here’,” Tortorella said.
