At 68, John Tortorella is still looking for his next NHL bench.
The former coach of the New York Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Philadelphia Flyers and Vancouver Canucks spent a short, trophy‑less season with the Vegas Golden Knights, a period that ended without a Stanley Cup and led to the promotion of Ryan Craig.
A career defined by resilience
Tortorella’s 24 seasons behind the NHL’s biggest benches include a Stanley Cup championship with Tampa Bay in 2004, a feat that placed him sixth on the league’s all‑time list for games coached by a U.S.-born coach and first among his compatriots with 1,628 contests.
His 777 career wins rank second only to Peter Laviolette’s 846 among American‑born coaches, while a 70‑72 playoff record puts him 20th on the all‑time list.
Despite the disappointment of falling short of a second Cup and not receiving a longer tenure with the Golden Knights, Tortorella says he remains eager to return, especially to the franchise that gave him a fresh opportunity.
He praised the organization’s direction and expressed confidence that his experience could help the team chase its own championship, while also acknowledging the respect he holds for the decision to elevate Craig.