Rick Tocchet
Canadian ice hockey player and coach
title: "Rick Tocchet" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1964-births", "living-people", "20th-century-canadian-sportsmen", "arizona-coyotes-coaches", "boston-bruins-players", "canadian-expatriate-ice-hockey-players-in-the-united-states", "canadian-ice-hockey-coaches", "canadian-ice-hockey-right-wingers", "canadian-sportspeople-of-italian-descent", "colorado-avalanche-coaches", "ice-hockey-people-from-scarborough,-ontario", "jack-adams-award-winners", "los-angeles-kings-players", "national-hockey-league-all-stars", "philadelphia-flyers-captains", "philadelphia-flyers-coaches", "philadelphia-flyers-draft-picks", "philadelphia-flyers-players", "phoenix-coyotes-players", "pittsburgh-penguins-coaches", "pittsburgh-penguins-players", "sault-ste.-marie-greyhounds-players", "stanley-cup-champions", "tampa-bay-lightning-coaches", "vancouver-canucks-coaches", "washington-capitals-players"] description: "Canadian ice hockey player and coach" topic_path: "science/astronomy" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Tocchet" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Canadian ice hockey player and coach ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox ice hockey biography"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| image | RickTocchet2024Feb16.jpg |
| image_size | 230px |
| caption | Tocchet with the Vancouver Canucks in 2024 |
| birth_date | |
| birth_place | Scarborough, Ontario, Canada |
| height_ft | 6 |
| height_in | 0 |
| weight_lb | 214 |
| position | Right wing |
| shoots | Right |
| played_for | Philadelphia Flyers |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | |
| Los Angeles Kings | |
| Boston Bruins | |
| Washington Capitals | |
| Phoenix Coyotes | |
| ntl_team | CAN |
| league_coach | NHL |
| team_coach | Philadelphia Flyers |
| coached_for | Tampa Bay Lightning |
| Arizona Coyotes | |
| Vancouver Canucks | |
| draft | 121st overall |
| draft_year | 1983 |
| draft_team | Philadelphia Flyers |
| career_start | 1984 |
| career_end | 2002 |
| career_start_coach | 2002 |
| :: |
| image = RickTocchet2024Feb16.jpg | image_size = 230px | caption = Tocchet with the Vancouver Canucks in 2024 | birth_date = | birth_place = Scarborough, Ontario, Canada | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 0 | weight_lb = 214 | position = Right wing | shoots = Right | played_for = Philadelphia Flyers Pittsburgh Penguins Los Angeles Kings Boston Bruins Washington Capitals Phoenix Coyotes | ntl_team = CAN | league_coach = NHL | team_coach = Philadelphia Flyers | coached_for = Tampa Bay Lightning Arizona Coyotes Vancouver Canucks | draft = 121st overall | draft_year = 1983 | draft_team = Philadelphia Flyers | career_start = 1984 | career_end = 2002 | career_start_coach = 2002 | career_end_coach = Richard Tocchet ( ; born April 9, 1964) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player who is the head coach for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the sixth round, 121st overall, by the Flyers in the 1983 NHL entry draft and also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, and Phoenix Coyotes. He formerly served as the head coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Arizona Coyotes, and Vancouver Canucks. Tocchet won the Jack Adams Award for coach of the year in 2024.
Playing career
Tocchet was born in the Toronto suburb of Scarborough, Ontario. As a youth, Tocchet played in the 1977 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Toronto.
After being drafted in the sixth round (121st overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1983 NHL entry draft, Tocchet returned to the OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for another year of junior hockey. After registering 108 points with Sault Ste. Marie, Tocchet came to the Flyers for the 1984–85 season, scoring 39 points and helping the team to the Stanley Cup Finals. He was mainly known as a fighter in his early career but soon developed his skills enough to become a respected power forward, a team leader, and a four-time NHL All-Star. He had memorable fights with other power forwards such as Wendel Clark and Cam Neely. He had 18 Gordie Howe hat tricks during his career, which is the most in NHL history.
In 1992, Tocchet was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, along with Kjell Samuelsson and Ken Wregget, in exchange for Mark Recchi. In 14 playoff games, he scored 19 points, helping the Penguins repeat as Stanley Cup champions.
Tocchet became a well-travelled veteran in the league after his stint with the Penguins, taking roles with the Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, and Phoenix Coyotes. He was dealt along with Adam Oates and Bill Ranford from the Bruins to the Capitals for Anson Carter, Jason Allison, Jim Carey, a third-round selection in the 1997 draft and a conditional second-round pick in the 1998 draft in a blockbuster deal on March 1, 1997. Both Tocchet and Carter would work together as studio analysts with the NHL on TNT nearly a quarter of a century later beginning in 2021. Tocchet became an unrestricted free agent on June 15, 1997 and signed a three-year contract with the Phoenix Coyotes 23 days later on July 8. After returning to the Flyers in a trade that sent Mikael Renberg to the Coyotes on March 8, 2000, he added 11 points en route to an Eastern Conference Finals berth. Tocchet retired after the 2001–02 season, being one of several players in NHL history to collect 400 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes including Brendan Shanahan and Gary Roberts.
Coaching career
Tocchet became an assistant coach for the Colorado Avalanche in 2002–03. In the summer of 2005, he became an assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes. On December 17, 2005, Tocchet took over as interim head coach for Phoenix, stepping in while head coach Wayne Gretzky was out on an indefinite leave of absence due to his mother's illness (and subsequent death). The team went 2–3–0 under Tocchet. Gretzky eventually resumed his duties on December 28.
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/Evgeni_Malkin_Sergei_Gonchar_Mario_Lemieux_and_Rick_Tocchet_2017-06-11_1.jpg" caption="Tocchet and the Penguins celebrating their 2017 Stanley Cup win in Nashville."] ::
Tocchet was named as the associate coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 9, 2008. On November 14, he was named the interim head coach of the Lightning, replacing Barry Melrose who was fired two days earlier after compiling a 5–7–4 record. Tocchet lost his first game to the Carolina Hurricanes in a shootout. Tocchet's first win came two games later on November 21 against the Nashville Predators. However, he would go on to lose his next nine games, and twelve of the next thirteen. On May 11, 2009, Tocchet had the interim tag removed and was signed to a two-year deal by the Lightning. On April 12, 2010 he was relieved of his coaching duties by the new ownership of the Tampa Bay Lightning. On June 25, 2014, he was hired by the Pittsburgh Penguins to be an assistant coach. On June 12, 2016, Tocchet won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins. He won his second Stanley Cup as an assistant coach on June 11, 2017, when the Penguins defeated the Nashville Predators in six games.
On July 11, 2017, Tocchet was named head coach for the Arizona Coyotes. On February 29, 2020, Tocchet earned his 100th win as head coach of the Coyotes in a 5–2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. After the 2020–21 season, Tocchet and the Coyotes mutually agreed to part ways.
On January 22, 2023, Tocchet was named head coach of the Vancouver Canucks to replace Bruce Boudreau. The 2023–24 season, Tocchet's first full season in charge was a major success for the team, who won the Pacific Division title in the regular season. The Canucks reached the second round of the 2024 playoffs, losing to the Edmonton Oilers in seven games. Tocchet received the Jack Adams Award as the NHL coach of the year. On April 29, 2025, the Canucks announced that Tocchet would not return as head coach.
On May 14, 2025, Tocchet was named head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Analyst
After leaving Tampa Bay, Tocchet served alongside Michael Barkann, Al Morganti, Bill Clement, and Steve Coates as a Flyers Postgame Live panelist on Comcast SportsNet.
He joined TNT's ice hockey coverage in 2021 as a studio analyst, and later briefly returned in 2025 after his stint with the Canucks.
Gambling incident
On February 6, 2006, Tocchet was served with a criminal complaint, accused of financing a nationwide sports gambling ring based in New Jersey in which several current NHL players wagered. The ring was discovered by New Jersey state police, in the undercover investigation Operation Slapshot. "It's not a hockey-related issue, it's a football thing. And at this time I can't comment any further," Tocchet told The Arizona Republic after the Coyotes practiced on February 7. The following day, Tocchet requested a leave of absence from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, which was granted with a number of conditions including that Tocchet was to have no contact with NHL personnel, that the leave of absence would not end without Bettman's consent and that the Commissioner reserved the right to modify the terms of the leave of absence at any time. On May 8, attorneys for Tocchet and Gretzky's wife Janet Jones filed notices in New Jersey that they intended to sue the state for $50 million each for defamation. Both Tocchet and Jones claimed to have lost business opportunities in the wake of the state's investigation, which had sullied their reputations. On August 3, former New Jersey state trooper James Harney pleaded guilty to conspiracy, promoting gambling, and official misconduct, and promised to help authorities with their case against Tocchet and others. Harney said that he and Tocchet were 50–50 partners in the betting ring.
On May 25, 2007, Tocchet pleaded guilty to conspiracy and promoting gambling. New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram announced on August 17, that Tocchet had been sentenced to two years probation in exchange for his plea. He could have received up to five years in New Jersey state prison, but there was a presumption against incarceration for first-time offenders who plead guilty to such crimes.
The NHL subsequently stated Gary Bettman, but his spokesman would not answer questions, including if Tocchet had a future in ice hockey. In late 2007, Bettman issued another statement indicating that Tocchet would not be eligible to return to the league until February 7, 2008. In addition to the initial criminal conduct, the Commissioner cited a number of aggravating factors including repeated illicit contact with NHL personnel and Tocchet's participation in the World Series of Poker to justify imposing a de facto two-year suspension.
During a press conference on February 6, 2008, it was announced that Tocchet would be reinstated and would serve as assistant coach the next day, exactly two years after taking the leave of absence. Among other conditions of his reinstatement, Tocchet was ordered by Bettman to abstain from all forms of gambling.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
::data[format=table]
| Regular season | Playoffs | Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | NHL totals | 1,144 | 440 | 512 | 952 | 2,972 | 145 | 52 | 60 | 112 | 471 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980–81 | St. Michael's Midget Buzzers | MTHL | 41 | 28 | 46 | 74 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 1980–81 | St. Michael's Buzzers | MetJHL | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 1981–82 | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds | OHL | 59 | 7 | 15 | 22 | 184 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 28 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1982–83 | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds | OHL | 66 | 32 | 34 | 66 | 146 | 16 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 67 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1983–84 | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds | OHL | 64 | 44 | 64 | 108 | 209 | 16 | 22 | 14 | 36 | 41 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1984–85 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 75 | 14 | 25 | 39 | 181 | 19 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 72 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1985–86 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 69 | 14 | 21 | 35 | 284 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1986–87 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 69 | 21 | 28 | 49 | 288 | 26 | 11 | 10 | 21 | 72 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1987–88 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 65 | 31 | 33 | 64 | 299 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 55 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1988–89 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 66 | 45 | 36 | 81 | 183 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 69 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1989–90 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 75 | 37 | 59 | 96 | 196 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 1990–91 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 70 | 40 | 31 | 71 | 150 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 1991–92 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 42 | 13 | 16 | 29 | 102 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 1991–92 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 19 | 14 | 16 | 30 | 49 | 14 | 6 | 13 | 19 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1992–93 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 80 | 48 | 61 | 109 | 252 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1993–94 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 51 | 14 | 26 | 40 | 134 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1994–95 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 36 | 18 | 17 | 35 | 70 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 1995–96 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 44 | 13 | 23 | 36 | 117 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 1995–96 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 27 | 16 | 8 | 24 | 64 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1996–97 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 40 | 16 | 14 | 30 | 67 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 1996–97 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 13 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 1997–98 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 68 | 26 | 19 | 45 | 157 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1998–99 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 81 | 26 | 30 | 56 | 147 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2000 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 64 | 12 | 17 | 29 | 67 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2000 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 16 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 23 | 18 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 49 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2000–01 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 60 | 14 | 22 | 36 | 83 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2001–02 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 14 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| :: |
International
::data[format=table]
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | Senior totals | 25 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 32 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | CC | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 | |||||||
| 1990 | Canada | WC | 10 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 14 | |||||||
| 1991 | Canada | CC | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | |||||||
| :: |
Head coaching record
::data[format=table]
| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | G | W | L | OTL | Pts | Finish | W | L | Win% | Result | TBL | 2008–09 | TBL | 2009–10 | ARI | 2017–18 | ARI | 2018–19 | ARI | 2019–20 | ARI | 2020–21 | VAN | 2022–23 | VAN | 2023–24 | VAN | 2024–25 | Total | 638 | 286 | 265 | 87 | 11 | 11 | 2 playoff appearances | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 | 19 | 33 | 14 | (52) | 5th in Southeast | — | — | — | Missed playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 82 | 34 | 36 | 12 | 80 | 4th in Southeast | — | — | — | Missed playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 82 | 29 | 41 | 12 | 70 | 8th in Pacific | — | — | — | Missed playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | 4th in Pacific | — | — | — | Missed playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 70* | 33 | 29 | 8 | 74 | 5th in Pacific | 4 | 5 | Lost in first round (COL) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56 | 24 | 26 | 6 | 54 | 5th in West | — | — | — | Missed playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 36 | 20 | 12 | 4 | (44) | 6th in Pacific | — | — | — | Missed playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | 1st in Pacific | 7 | 6 | Lost in second round (EDM) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 82 | 38 | 30 | 14 | 90 | 5th in Pacific | — | — | — | Missed playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| :: |
- Shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2019–20 season. Playoffs were played in August 2020 with a different format.
Awards and honours
::data[format=table]
| Award | Year | Ref | Juniors | NHL | Philadelphia Flyers | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MetJBHL champion | 1981 | |||||
| NHL All-Star Game | 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 2024 | |||||
| Stanley Cup champion | 1992, 2016, 2017 | |||||
| Jack Adams Award | 2024 | |||||
| Flyers Hall of Fame | 2021 | |||||
| Canada Cup champion | 1987, 1991 | |||||
| 4 Nations Face-Off champion | 2025 | |||||
| :: |
Records
- Philadelphia Flyers all-time leader in Gordie Howe hat tricks – 9
- NHL all-time leader in Gordie Howe hat tricks – 18
Notes
References
References
- "Rick Tocchet Stats and News".
- (2018). "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA".
- (March 2, 1997). "Bruins deal disgrunted Oates and two others in blockbuster deal".
- (September 30, 2021). "TNT's NHL broadcast is already more fun than NBC's ever was, growing pains and all".
- (June 17, 1997). "With Tocchet gone, Capitals go forward". Washington Post.
- (July 9, 1997). "Coyotes Pick Up Tocchet".
- (March 8, 2000). "Flyers, Coyotes work trade".
- (July 9, 2008). "Lightning Name Tocchet, Walz, Raeder Assistant Coaches".
- (November 14, 2008). "Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach Barry Melrose Relieved Of His Duties".
- (November 16, 2023). "Tocchet loses debut as Ruutu, Brind'Amour goals down Lightning in SO".
- (November 21, 2023). "Lecavalier's two goals help Lightning snap five-game losing streak".
- (May 11, 2009). "Lightning signs Tocchet to multi-year deal".
- (July 11, 2017). "Tocchet Likes Fit with Coyotes".
- (February 29, 2020). "Keller scores twice in Coyotes' 5-2 win over Sabres".
- (May 9, 2021). "Arizona Coyotes and Head Coach Rick Tocchet Agree to Part Ways".
- (May 9, 2021). "Arizona Coyotes to part ways with head coach Rick Tocchet".
- (January 22, 2023). "Canucks Announce Changes to Coaching Staff".
- (May 22, 2024). "Tocchet wins Jack Adams Award as coach of year". NHL.com.
- (April 29, 2025). "Vancouver Canucks Announce Rick Tocchet Will Not Return as Head Coach".
- (May 14, 2025). "Tocchet hired as Flyers coach, replaces Tortorella".
- "Turner Sports Bolsters NHL Game and Studio Commentator Team".
- "Rick Tocchet on taking on his new role with TNT, bringing out an entertainment factor in hockey - Sportsnet.ca".
- (May 7, 2025). "Rick Tocchet to join NHL on TNT panel for upcoming weekend playoff matchups".
- (February 7, 2006). "Gretzky's wife allegedly placed bets in gambling ring".
- (May 25, 2006). "Gretzky's wife, Tocchet eye lawsuits".
- "Archived copy".
- "Tocchet Gets Probation, Not Jail, For His Role in Gambling Ring". Washington Post.
- (August 17, 2007). "Tocchet avoids jail, gets two years probation".
- (February 6, 2008). "Tocchet eager to move on from 'tough time'".
- (October 7, 2021). "Newest Flyers Hall of Famers: Rick Tocchet and Paul Holmgren".
- (February 20, 2025). "McDavid’s OT winner leads Canada past USA to capture the 4 Nations Face-Off championship".
- "Flyers History – Gordie Howe Hattricks".
- [https://thehockeywriters.com/gordie-howe-hat-trick-explained/ The Gordie Howe Hat Trick], The Hockey Writers
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