Flyers Captain Sean Couturier, fresh off a tumultuous 2024-25 season under Head Coach John Tortorella, appears to have taken a not-so-subtle dig at his former boss during the team’s first training camp practice on September 18, 2025.
With Rick Tocchet now at the helm after Tortorella’s firing in April, the atmosphere in Philly has shifted dramatically—and Couturier isn’t holding back on highlighting the contrast. After Day 1 of camp, where the Flyers dove straight into systems work and on-ice drills, Couturier quipped to reporters:
“Day one, we’re actually getting into some systems and playing hockey. So it’s different than using a rope and skating laps,” Couturier said.
This was a clear reference to Tortorella’s infamous “old-school” conditioning methods, which often emphasized endurance drills like rope-skipping and endless laps over structured play. Those sessions were a hallmark (and point of frustration) during Tortorella’s two-year tenure, especially as the Flyers missed the playoffs both seasons.
Couturier’s remark drew chuckles from the media but underscored the strained dynamic he endured—being benched as a healthy scratch twice in March 2024 despite his leadership role, and feeling “pushed aside” in exit interviews.
Not Just Couturier:
Teammate Cam York joins In with Couturier. Defenseman Cam York, who also clashed with Tortorella’s rigid style, piled on during the same session:
“It’s nice to actually touch a puck on Day 1.” – Cam York said on day 1 of Training Camp in 2025
York’s comment echoed the broader sentiment in the Flyers’ locker room: relief at Tocchet’s more modern, puck-focused approach. Both players’ jabs come amid high expectations for a rebound season, with Couturier (32) eyeing a return to Selke Trophy form after posting 45 points in 79 games last year despite inconsistent ice time.Context: A Rocky History
- The Fallout: Tortorella’s relationship with Couturier soured publicly in 2024, with the coach benching the captain without much explanation. Couturier later admitted in April 2025 interviews that communication had broken down, though he took “part of the blame” for not adapting faster.
- The Firing: Tortorella was let go on March 23, 2025, after a 6-4 win over Montreal (where Couturier scored twice), amid a six-game skid and fan unrest.
- New Era: Tocchet, hired in the offseason, has already built rapport with Couturier— the Captain noted having “more conversations in three months than in two years” with Tortorella. This buy-in is crucial as Philly integrates rookies like Matvei Michkov and aims for the Atlantic Division.
Why It Matters
These digs aren’t just pettiness; they’re a signal of renewed energy. Couturier, a two-time Selke winner (2015, 2020), thrived under balanced coaches like Alain Vigneault. If Tocchet unlocks his two-way game (projected 17-18 minutes/night on a top-six line), it could stabilize the Flyers’ rebuild.
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